A former candidate who ran in the last general election for Tongatapu 10 constituencycy MP in Parliament has won the electorate’s by-election yesterday.
Kapelieli Lanumata of Lapaha won Tongatapu 10 by-election with a majority of 870 votes, that is about 40 percent of the total casting votes. He defeated his rival opponent Matani Nifofā of Kolonga with 249 votes.
Nifofā came second with 621 votes (27.4%) while 507 voters (22.4%) voted for the second runner up Dr. Fotu Fisi’iahi. Daniel Fale of Lapaha has 139 votes (6.2%) came fourth and Senimili Fonua of Makaunga with 122 votes (5.4%) came last.
2261 registered voters casted their ballot yesterday in about 20 polling stations, 13 in Tongatapu and one respectively for ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas.
Lanumata replaces the former Tongatapu 10 MP, late Hon. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa who passed away earlier this year.