Jump to content

1948 Tongan general election

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

General elections were held in Tonga in May 1948.[1]

Electoral system

[edit]

The Legislative Assembly had seven directly-elected members; three representing Tongatapu and nearby islands, two representing Haʻapai and two representing Vavaʻu and nearby islands.[1] A further seven members were elected by the nobility,[1] seven ministers (including the governors of Haʻapai and Vavaʻu) and a Speaker chosen by the monarch, Sālote Tupou III.[2]

A new electoral law introduced in 1947 required candidates to be nominated by at least 30 voters and introduced an election deposit of £5, which would be lost if a candidate received less than 20% of the vote.[2]

Campaign

[edit]

A total of 29 candidates contested the seven directly-elected seats; twelve in Vavaʻu, ten in Tongatapu and seven in Haʻapai.[1]

Results

[edit]

Molitoni Finau was elected as the most-voted for candidate in Tongatapu.[1]

Constituency Elected members Notes
Haʻapai V.L. Tu'akihekolo
P. Vi Re-elected
Tongatapu Molitoni Finau Re-elected
S. Lino Re-elected
Harry Percival Vete
Vavaʻu P. Afuha'amango
Viliami Molofaha Re-elected
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

References

[edit]