Tonga Electoral Commission confirms date for parliamentary by-elections
The nomination of candidates for the Tongatapu 2 and Niua seats will take place on 2 and 3 September, the country's electoral office says.
The Tonga Electoral Commission has announced that parliamentary by-elections for two vacant seats in the Legislative Assembly will be held on October 8. This was confirmed after the King issued a writ on August 7. The nominations for candidates will take place on September 2 and 3. The two seats, previously held by Semisi Sika of Tongatapu 2 and Lata Tangimana of Niua 17, were vacated following their bribery convictions during the 2025 general election.
The two were removed from contesting an election for the next five years by the Tongan parliament on August 3. Samiuela Vao, the Supervisor of Elections, stated that the process will now begin and the elections will be conducted transparently. Each candidate must secure at least 50 registered voters' support in their respective constituencies.
Sika won the Tongatapu 2 seat in 2025 with 951 votes, while Fasi, who previously held the seat, is favored to win it again. Tangimana won the Niua 17 seat with 540 votes over her three opponents.
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