Campaigning ended Wednesday for today’s by-elections to elect three new People’s Representatives to the Tonga Legislative Assembly, in the Constituencies of Tongatapu 4, Tongatapu 6 and Tongatapu 7.
There are 41 polling stations for the by-elections with a total of 13 candidates contesting the parliamentary seats vacated by Tatafu Toma Moeaki for Tongatapu 4, Poasi Mataele Tei for Tongatapu 6, and Sione Sangster Saulala for Tongatapu 7.
Their elections were voided by the courts, resulting in their unseating, after they were unsuccessful in their appeals against bribery convictions.
Today polling starts at 9:00am and ends at 4:00pm with results to be announced afterwards.
Candidates must not spend more than $20,000 pa’anga (US$8,288) in their election campaign.
Candidates are prohibited from campaigning in any form 24-hours prior to the start of the polling and during the hours of the polling, whether it be by loudspeaker, public address, film, video, television or radio.
They are also required to remove their campaign material, such as billboards, from all locations on or before polling day, under the Electoral Act.
SOURCE: TONGA WIRES/PACNEWS
