Kalafi Moala
The wife of former ousted Minister and Member of Parliament, Poasi Tei, was the clear front-runner, and strongest winner of Tongatapu 6 by-election, when the poll made its final count on Thursday 3 November.
Dulcie Elaine Tei, won handily by 1308 votes over her closest rival, Fane Fotu Fituafe, who tallied 900 votes; a difference of 408 votes. The other three candidates were insignificant with their number of voters: Sione Talanoa Fifita (115), Tahifisi Vehikite (114), and Sepeti Vakameilalo (27).
53.1% of registered voters for Tongatapu 6 went to the polls.
Mateni Tapueluelu, was no surprise when he won over Viliami Takau at the Tongatapu 4 by-election with 973 votes over Takau’s 810. ‘Etika Cocker, in distant third collected 300 votes, with Isileli Pulu picking up 39 votes and Toutai ‘Ulupano 14.
Paula Piveni Piukala may have pulled off the surprise of the by-election by winning big in Tongatapu 7. The votes from Ha’ateiho village put Piukala way ahead with 979 votes over Kilisitina Saulala with 765 votes, and Feletilika Fa’otusia with 694 votes. The big difference between Piukala and Saulala by 214 votes was the surprise as most observers predicted a much closer race.
The largest number of registered voters was from Tongatapu 6, a total of 4,798. A total of 13,741 registered to vote in all three constituencies; yet only 51% turned out to vote.
We now have a new woman MP, the seventh woman ever elected to Parliament; a new PTOA MP, and a former PTOA MP returned to Parliament.
