2005 Tongan general election

General elections were held in Tonga on 17 March 2005. Only nine members of the 30-seat parliament were elected, with the remainder appointed by the King or belonging to the Tongan aristocracy. The Human Rights and Democracy Movement won seven of the nine seats. Prince ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata, a son of the King, initially retained his position as Prime Minister, but resigned in 2006, with the position passing to Feleti Sevele, one of the two independent candidates elected. Sevele is the first non-noble Prime Minister of the country.

2005 Tongan general election

← 2002 17 March 2005 2008 →

9 of 30 seats in the Legislative Assembly

Party Leader Vote % Seats HRDM ʻAkilisi Pōhiva 44.95 7 Independent – 55.05 2 This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. Prime Minister before Prime Minister after Prince ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata Independent Prince ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata Independent

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats
	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	35,200	44.95	7
	Independents	43,117	55.05	2
Nobles' representatives				9
Royal appointees				12
Total		78,317	100.00	30
Total votes		33,119	–
Registered voters/turnout		65,555	50.52
Source: Psephos, IPU

By constituency

Constituency	Candidate	Party		Votes	%	Notes
Eua	Sunia Fili		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	1,314	52.5	Elected
	Sefesi Tupou Kanongataʻa Hausia		Independent	804	32.1
	Finau Sakea Fusituʻa		Independent	269	10.8
	Sione ʻOfa Vakaʻuta		Independent	115	4.6
Haʻapai	ʻUliti Uata		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	2,627	28.0	Elected
	Fineasi Funaki		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	2,072	22.1	Elected
	ʻOsaiasi Latu		Independent	1,959	20.9
	Moʻale Finau		Independent	919	9.8
	Sione Talanoa Fifita		Independent	858	9.2
	Sailosi Vea Fanua		Independent	735	7.8
	Langilangi Vimahi		Independent	198	2.1
Niuas	Sione Peauafi Haukinima		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	709	69.9	Elected
	ʻAisea Taʻofi		Independent	204	20.1
	ʻOketi Lotulelei ʻAkauʻola		Independent	60	5.9
	Paula Palelei		Independent	42	4.1
Tongatapu	ʻAkilisi Pōhiva		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	11,103	21.8	Elected
	ʻIsileli Pulu		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	8,008	15.7	Elected
	Feleti Sevele		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	7,499	14.7	Elected
	Clive Edwards		Independent	3,546	7.0
	Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku		Independent	3,161	6.0
	Mateitalo F. Mahuʻinga		Independent	2,937	5.8
	Lopeti Senituli		Independent	2,819	5.5
	Semisi Kailahi		Independent	1,986	3.9
	Simione Kau Silapelu		Independent	1,544	3.0
	Semisi P I Tapueluelu		Independent	1,528	3.0
	Mateaki Heimuli		Independent	1,400	2.7
	ʻAlisi Pone Fotu		Independent	952	1.9
	Mumui Tatola		Independent	719	1.4
	Sela Lopa Kaisinga		Independent	508	1.0
	Kamipeli Tofaʻimalaʻeʻaloa		Independent	387	0.8
	ʻAlani Fisher Taione		Independent	364	0.7
	Tupou Malohi		Independent	318	0.6
	Siosifa Filini Sikuea		Independent	257	0.5
	Siale Christopher Kava		Independent	248	0.5
	ʻAisake Faʻalongo Filimone		Independent	235	0.5
	Salesi Kauvaka		Independent	231	0.5
	Sione Tuʻiʻonetoa		Independent	202	0.4
	Hoatatau Tenisi		Independent	194	0.4
	Penisila Save		Independent	178	0.3
	Lesinali Tovo Faleafa		Independent	165	0.3
	Kelepi V. Lamipeti		Independent	157	0.3
	Semisi Nauto Tuʻapasi ʻAtaʻata		Independent	133	0.3
	Taholo Lelea Kolovai		Independent	128	0.3
	Sione Lolo Mataele		Independent	87	0.2
Vahefonua Vavaʻu	Samiu Vaipulu		Independent	2,272	15.7	Elected
	Viliami Kaufusi Helu		Independent	2,060	14.3	Elected
	Sione Sangster Saulala		Independent	1,908	13.2
	ʻEtuate Sungalu Lavulavu		Independent	1,772	12.3
	Masao Paasi		Independent	1,490	10.3
	Peauafi Tatafu		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	1,308	9.1
	Sione Sosefo Mailangi		Independent	674	4.7
	Makelesi Funaki		Independent	562	3.9
	Kauhenga Kata		Human Rights and Democracy Movement	560	3.9
	ʻAlamoti Tautakitaki		Independent	556	3.9
	Sione Finau Lauti		Independent	405	2.8
	Viliami Politoni Sapoi		Independent	188	1.3
	ʻAliki Halahekeheke Sika		Independent	152	1.1
	Sione Katalau Veleika		Independent	150	1.0
	Pesa Lauʻi		Independent	148	1.0
	Makasini Fonua		Independent	140	1.0
	ʻInoke Fotu		Independent	93	0.6
Source: Psephos

Aftermath

By-election were held on 5 May 2005 to fill vacancies in Tongatapu and Niuas following the appointment of Feleti Sevele and Sione Haukinima to the cabinet. Former Police Minister Clive Edwards was elected in Tongatapu,^[1] and Lepolo Taunisila was elected in Niuas.

A third by-election was held on 20 July 2006 for the Haʻapai electorate after Fineasi Funaki was appointed as Minister of Tourism.^[2] The election was won by ʻOsai Laatu.^[3]