TWO new MPs have been elected into the Legislative Assembly of Tonga following the by-election for a new People Representative of Tongatapu 4, 6 and 7 constituencies yesterday.
A new female MP Dulcie Tei has been elected for Tongatapu 6 constituency replacing his husband, the former Deputy Prime Minister, Poasi Tei. Mrs. Tei, a former teacher becomes the 7th women parliamentarian to make it into politics. Her election to Parliament makes it two female legislators in the House.
The other new comer is Piveni Piukala who won Tongatapu 7 by-election with 979 votes (40.2%) making him a new MP of his electorate. His election is also making history since it is the first time following the post political reform in 2010, it is the first time for two brothers to serve in Parliament.
Piveni’s brother is the Hon. Health Minister, Hon. Saia Piukala.
Meanwhile, a former Member of Parliament, Mateni Tapueluelu has been re-elected as Tongatapu 4 new MP replacing the former MP, Tatafu Moeaki.
Tapueluelu won Tongatapu 4 electorates with 973 votes that is 46 percent of the voters’ turnout.
810 voters voted in favor of his rival candidate Viliami Takau (38%) while former Cabinet Chief Secretary Edgar Cocker with 300 votes (14%).
On Tongatapu 6 by-election, the former teacher Mrs. Tei won with a majority vote of 1308 (53.1%) defeating her opponent Fane Fituafe with 408 votes ahead. Sione Talanoa Fifita came third in the Tongatapu 6 by-election winning 115 votes.
In the Tongatapu 7 constituency by-election, Piukala was ahead by 214 votes of his rival candidates, Kilisitina Saulala - a wife of former MIA Minister and Tongatapu 7 MP. 765 voters voted for Kilisitina Saulala.
A total of 7046 registered voters casted their ballot which is accounted to 51 percent of the total registered voters of 13,741.