Tonga’s Electoral Commission is preparing for by-elections in Tongatapu 2 and Niua 17 after the seats were left vacant following court rulings against their former representatives.
Supervisor of Elections Samiuela Vao says his office expects writs for the two by-elections to be issued by King Tupou VI by the end of the week, allowing the electoral process to move forward.
The vacancies follow the removal of Sēmisi Sika, the former Tongatapu 2 People’s Representative, and Lata Tangimana, who represented Niua 17.
However, the circumstances surrounding the two cases differ. Tangimana was found by the Supreme Court to have engaged in electoral bribery after fish were distributed to voters ahead of the November 2025 general election. The Court of Appeal upheld that finding in July, leaving his election void.
Sika’s case was not a bribery conviction. His election was declared void over breaches of electoral expense rules, including failing to properly declare campaign expenditure and exceeding the legal spending limit.
The Court of Appeal dismissed his challenge in July.
The developments follow Tonga’s general election on 20 November 2025, when voters elected 17 People’s Representatives to the 26-member Legislative Assembly.
The two by-elections will determine who represents the constituencies for the remainder of the parliamentary term. Candidates will be subject to the electoral rules governing eligibility and campaign conduct.
The Electoral Commission is expected to provide further details on the timetable, nominations and polling once the writs are formally issued.
