Polling stations have opened in Tonga for the second election under political reforms that were widely hailed.
There are 105 candidates standing for the 17 seats allocated for the People's Representatives while the noble families will also choose nine members to represent them in the new parliament.
Don Wiseman has more:
"It is just the second election under political reforms that were widely hailed. The changes gave the people the right to elect the majority of the MPs for the first time. After the 2010 election there had been an expectation the new prime minister would emerge from the popularly elected MPs but that did not occur and the government was dominated by the nobility. Massey University's Pasifika director, Malakai Koloamatangi, says that could well happen again given the unity in the nobility's ranks. But whatever government emerges it will face a grim task with the country continuing to struggle economically while needing to repay massive loans. Voting finishes at 4pm and election officials expect results several hours later."
