28 Nov 2019

Key Tonga by-election drawing to a close

3:16 pm on 28 November 2019

People in the Tonga seat of 'Tongatapu 1' have today been voting for a new MP, after the seat was left vacant by late Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

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Photo: 123RF

The race is between noted scientist, Netatua Prescott Taufatofua, and the eldest sone of Mr Pohiva, Siaosi.

It is a significant race with hopes that victory for Mr Pohiva will beef up numbers for the PTOA political party, which lost power when the former leader died.

But Ms Taufatofua is also well known and competed well against 'Akilisi Pohiva in the 2017 poll.

Voting is due to stop later this afternoon and RNZ Pacific's correspondent believes the result will be available later this evening.