Tonga’s PTOA Party has again claimed victory in today’s electorate by-elections after three MPs had been unseated after Tonga’s Supreme Court dismissed their appeals over bribery convictions.
The results came after the Ha’apai by-election in September was won by another PTOA Party MP Mo’ale Finau.
Today’s preliminary results in two constituencies’ by-elections show PTOA and former Tongatapu 4 MP Mateni Tapueluelu and new PTOA MP for Tongatapu 7 Piveni Piukala had a commanding victory.
Tongatapu 6 was won by Dulcie Tei, the wife of convicted and ousted Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei.
The preliminary results had been announced at each poll station this afternoon after 4pm. It was reported that the official results will be announced later this evening by the Electoral Supervisor and Commissioner.
At PTOA headquarters and social media pages supporters were celebrating.
Tonga is expecting another by-election to replace former MP and Minister of Fisheries Semisi Fakahau who was also a PTOA MP. Fakahau died last week.
The MPs who had been unseated were: Tatafu Moeaki, Poasi Tei and Sangster Saulala.
All three had been found guilty of bribing voters in Tonga’s general election last year.
