{
  "id": 62360,
  "title": "Tonga to hold two by-elections after ministers quit over bribery convictions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/tonga-to-hold-two-by-elections-after-ministers-quit-over-bribery",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-03T00:05:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RNZ Pacific",
    "slug": "rnz-pacific",
    "url": "https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/871234/tonga-to-hold-two-by-elections-after-ministers-quit-over-bribery-convictions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tonga's parliament has acknowledged the official resignations of two ministers, Semisi Sika and Lata 'i Faingataʻa Tangimana, who were convicted of bribery during the 2025 general elections. Speaker Lord Vaea announced their resignations, effective last Friday. Sika, previously the infrastructure and tourism minister, and Tangimana, the finance minister, will both relinquish their ministerial roles following their convictions by the Nuku'alofa Magistrates' Court. This development has triggered the need for by-elections in both constituencies. Tonga's Supervisor of Elections, Samiuela Vao, affirmed that his office will now proceed with the necessary preparations for the by-elections in line with the Tonga Constitution. The Electoral Commission (Komisoni Fili) will await an official election writ from the Palace Office before confirming the exact dates. The by-elections must be held within 21 to 28 days of the writ issuance, which will also encompass the candidate nomination period. Sika and Tangimana are prohibited from running for office for five years following their removal from their positions. Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua acknowledged receiving Sika's resignation letter on Friday, while Speaker Lord Vaea confirmed Tangimana's resignation on the same day. The court's decision to convict Sika involved his alleged failure to disclose a NZ$7,000 payment to a dance academy, which prosecutors contended was an attempt to influence voters. Sika maintained that the omission was a \"good faith\" mistake, citing family members' attendance at the academy and his long-standing support for local community groups. Tangimana faced charges for donating fish to some of his constituents. Under Tongan law, bribery convictions typically necessitate a minister's removal, potentially leading to by-elections in multiple constituencies if the rulings are upheld.",
  "summary": "Tonga's Supervisor of Elections says his office will now work on the two by-elections as per the Tonga Constitution.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tonga's ministers Semisi Sika and Lata 'i Faingataʻa Tangimana resigned over bribery convictions.",
    "Two by-elections will be held in constituencies of Sika and Tangimana within 21 to 28 days.",
    "Sika and Tangimana are barred from running for office for five years post-resignation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/62360.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}