Elections in Tonga

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy with a unicameral Fale Alea, or Legislative Assembly, consisting of 26 elected seats: 17 People's Representatives and 9 Nobles' Representatives. Voters choose People's Representatives by popular ballot in 17 single-member Electoral Constituencies. Nobles' Representatives are elected by hereditary nobles under separate rules. Tonga has no political party system for parliamentary elections, so candidates generally stand as individuals. The candidate with the highest number of votes wins; a tie is decided by a coin toss. National parliamentary elections normally take place every four years. Local elections for District and Town Officers also normally take place every four years, with national and local elections alternating approximately two years apart. A vacancy in an elected position can require a by-election. The 2025 national election took place on 20 November 2025, and the next local election is scheduled for May 2027; the next national election is expected in 2029. The Tonga Electoral Commission, commonly called the Komisoni Fili or Tonga Electoral Commission (TEC), is the independent statutory body responsible for administering elections under the Electoral Commission Act 2010. The Supervisor of Elections oversees the electoral roll, ballot arrangements, election security and overall administration. Returning Officers manage individual districts or constituencies. The King issues the writ on the Prime Minister's advice, and the Electoral Boundaries Commission sets constituency boundaries. Police maintain order during the electoral process. The Supreme Court hears election petitions. Eligible Tongan subjects who are at least 21 years old, are not nobles and meet the constitutional and electoral qualifications must register to vote. Registration is ongoing and usually requires a National ID together with a passport or birth certificate. A voter generally needs about three months of residence in the constituency. Applications are generally expected within three months after reaching the required age, returning to Tonga or acquiring Tongan nationality. Failure to register is an offence, although the research available for this post does not show a separate penalty for simply failing to turn out to vote. A registered elector who is overseas can vote only while physically present in Tonga. The TEC updates the roll for changes such as deaths, errors, changes of residence and changes in status. A provisional roll is normally published at least six months before an election, followed by a public objection period of two months. Appeals go to the Electoral Commission. The final roll is normally completed two to four months before polling, with supplementary additions possible up to 14 days before the election. For the 2025 election, 63,484 people were registered on the final roll. The TEC also conducts official outreach across Tongatapu, 'Eua, Ha'apai, Vava'u, Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou. A People's Representative candidate must be an eligible elector in the relevant constituency, submit Form 4, obtain the signatures of at least 50 qualified electors and pay a non-refundable deposit of $400. An undischarged bankruptcy order or an overseas or domestic judgment being enforced by a receiver can disqualify a candidate. The former clearance requirement under section 9(4) was removed by the 2025 Electoral Amendment Act. Noble candidates use the TEC nomination form under the constitutional and regulatory amendments applying to noble elections. Nominations normally open 21 to 28 days after the writ and remain open for no more than two consecutive days. Nomination hours are 10:00 to 15:00. If the number of candidates equals the number of seats at the close of nominations, the candidates are declared elected unopposed. A candidate may withdraw within seven days, but the deposit is forfeited. Candidates may spend up to $20,000 and must submit an itemised expense return within 14 days. False or missing returns and overspending are offences punishable by a fine of up to $10,000. Bribery, threats, impersonation and multiple voting are prohibited, and polling-day advertising and other attempts to influence voters are restricted. Employers must allow paid time for employees to vote; breaching this duty can result in a fine of up to $500. Polling normally runs from 09:00 to 16:00 at a designated constituency station. Officials check identification, cross the voter's name off the final roll and initial the ballot. The voter marks the candidate in a secret cubicle, folds the ballot and places it in the ballot box. A temporary resident in another district may vote for the registered constituency if the required proof is provided. A spoiled ballot can be replaced before it is deposited. A voter with a disability or poor eyesight may receive assistance, and a non-candidate companion may mark the ballot as directed under police observation. A ballot is invalid if the wrong number of representatives is marked. Station officers count ballots after the polls close and publish the station result. The Returning Officer aggregates the district or constituency results and declares the winners, after which the Supervisor of Elections publishes the official results. A candidate may request a recount in writing within one week and must pay a $1,000 fee in advance. The Supervisor may reassess doubtful ballots. The recount decision is final, and the fee is refunded only if the recount changes the elected candidate or the request is certified as reasonable. Only an election petition can challenge an election or declaration. An eligible voter, a person claiming to have been an eligible candidate or a candidate may petition the Supreme Court within 28 days of the result. The Court may order a recount or scrutiny and can void an election affected by unlawful or corrupt conduct. It can also order removal from the seat. After a general election, elected members nominate one elected member as Prime Minister. The King appoints the Prime Minister, who forms a Cabinet of no more than 12 ministers, including no more than 4 people who are not elected members. If the government loses a no-confidence vote, a new Prime Minister must be appointed within 48 hours; otherwise, the King dissolves the Assembly and an election must be held within 90 days. The 2025 national election elected all 17 People's Representatives and 9 Nobles' Representatives. The TEC published the official results. The 2025 timetable included publication of the provisional roll on 28 February, issue of the writ on 11 September, publication of the final roll on 19 September, nominations on 8 and 9 October, withdrawals on 15 and 16 October, polling on 20 November, the recount deadline on 27 November, return of the writ and expense returns on 4 December, and the report to the King and Speaker on 20 February 2026.