The by-election for two vacant seats in Tonga’s Legislative Assembly, the Fale Alea ‘o Tonga, will be held on 8 October.
This was confirmed by the Tonga Electoral Commission (Komisoni Fili), following the issuance of the writ by King Tupou VI on Friday, 7 August.
The nomination of candidates will take place on 2 and 3 September.
The two parliamentary seats were vacated by Semisi Sika of Tongatapu 2 and Lata Tangimana of Niua 17 after they were found guilty of bribery by the Nuku’alofa Magistrate Court during the 2025 general election.
The pair were “unseated” by the Tongan parliament on 3 August, ruling them out from contesting an election for the next five years.
Supervisor of Elections Samiuela Vao said they would now start the process and work on ensuring that the elections are carried out transparently.
“The registration of candidates will be held on September 2 and 3 from 10am to 3pm on both days,” he said.
“Each candidate must be nominated and supported by at least 50 registered voters in their respective constituencies.”
Sika won the Tongatapu 2 seat in 2025 with 951 votes, deafeating former Cabinet Minister ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, who got 764 votes.
Fasi is the favourite to win the seat back, having won it at the 2021 election.
Tangimana won Niua 17 with a total of 540 votes, a clear majority over three other candidates.
