Tonga's court of appeal has ruled in favour of the supervisor of elections and the chairman of Tonga's Electoral Commission against a judgement to register Sione Tupouniua as an election candidate.
Mr Tupouniua was rejected as a candidate for the Tongatapu Number 1 electorate because he handed his application in late.
But the Supreme Court ruled that he had fulfilled all nomination requirements, and the Electoral Commission was aware that Mr Tupouniua intended to nominate.
The appeal court was recalled urgently and the overseas judges were flown in to hear the appeal as the general election is next Thursday.
Tonga Broadcasting reports the decision means Sione Kauate Tupouniua is no longer qualified to become a candidate and that the total number of candidates to compete next week remains at 106.
