2025 general elections: Tongatapu 6 sends Tonga's only woman MP to new Parliament

For the second election in a row, Tongatapu 6 has delivered Tonga’s only woman MP, while every other constituency elected men.

Fane Fangufangu Fituafe won the seat with 978 votes, defeating outgoing MP Dulcie Tei, who secured 835 votes.

In an interview with John Pulu on PMN Tonga, Fituafe says her priority is education and youth opportunities, stressing that young people need better pathways to avoid drugs, unemployment, and other risks.

Fituafe also wants to boost Tonga’s agriculture exports, recalling her childhood growing up in a farming family.

She wants to create more opportunities for the goods grown in Tonga to reach markets overseas.

She also says that supporting women’s roles in society will also guide her work, adding that more spaces and opportunities are needed for Tongan women.

Watch Fane Fituafe's full interview below.

A consituency that keeps breaking ground

Tongatapu 6 is quickly becoming the seat that breaks political ground for women.

In 2022, it elected the only woman in the national by-election after the Supreme Court voided the 2021 win of former MP Poasi Tei for bribery, a petition won by Fituafe.

That by-election was won by his wife, Dulcie Tei, who became the only female in Parliament at that time.

In 2024, the same electorate agains elected the only female MP, bringing Fituafe into Parliament for the first time.

Previous MP for Tongatapu 6, Dulcie Tei. Photo/Supplied

Election results: new faces and big margins

Tonga’s elections saw 10 out of 17 MPs returned, and seven newcomers elected from Tongatapu 2, 6, 8, Ha’apai 12, 13, Vava’u 15, and Niua 17.

Semisi Sika reclaimed the Tongatapu 2 seat after he lost it to Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi in 2021.

Some new MPs won by major margins, including in Vava’u 15, where Dr ‘Alani Tangitau defeated long-serving MP Samiu Vaipulu by nearly 400 votes.

One of the strongest wins nationwide came from caretaker Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke, who won Tongatapu 5 with 1568 votes, the highest of any candidate.

Semisi Sika returns to the Tongatapu 2 seat. Photo/Supplied

Low voter turnout a growing concern

Electoral Commissioner Pita Vuki says the low voter turnout was worrying and would need to be addressed.

The lowest turnout was in Tongatapu 8, with only 28.36 per cent of registered voters casting a ballot.

With results confirmed, the attention now shifts to who will form the government and become Tonga’s next Prime Minister.

Under the Constitution, the interim Speaker has 10 days to invite MPs to submit nominations.

MPs then vote by secret ballot, and a candidate must win more than half of all the votes. If no one reaches a majority, further rounds will be held every two days until a Prime Minister is elected and formally appointed by the King.

PMN News Political Reporter 'Alakihihifo Vailala is in Nuku'alofa. PMN Coverage of Tonga Election 2025 is brought to you by the Pacific Business Trust - building strong futures, together.