Page 11 - IB Nov 2017

Women Need to strengthen women’s Business Tukuitoga calls on lead-
Politics
voice as a sector: P15 ers for proper women’s advice: P15

Pohiva’s unstable decision making and Tongatapu 9 Vava’u 14 seat.
leadership. Penisimani Fifita, Timote Laume, Vika Vava’u 15
The Democrats have named former Fusimalohi, Siamelie Latu ‘Anisi Bloomfield, Tong-
Agriculture Chief Executive Officer Favourites: Former en- ovua Fifita, Sinali Hansen,
Losaline Maase as their choice to run in voy Siamele Latu, who Tomifa Paea, Garry Lavaki,
the constituency but she will also face a resigned from his post Samiu Vaipulu
tough challenge for women votes from as Foreign Affairs CEO, Favourites: Former Taka
former University of the South Pacific is the favourite for the DPM and longtime MP
Tonga director Dr Ana Koloto. seat, ahead of current MP Samiu Vaipulu still is top favourite to
Mormon Fe’ofa’aki Latuis the dark Penisimani Fifita. Fifita retain his seat.
horse in the constituency and his church Mr Latu has been work- But he will face tough challenges from
community’s support will play a big part ing within the community and assisting former hotelier and businessman Tomifa
in his final results. with community projects to help his Paea and ‘Anisi Bloomfield.
course. Woman candidate Vika Fusi- Vava’u 16
Tongatapu 6 malohi also has a big following amongst ‘Akosita Lavulavu, Viliami Latu, ‘Atalasa
Siosifa Tu’utafaiva, Sione the women of the constituency. Pouvalu, ‘Aisea Silivenusi, Viliami Lolohea
Tafuna, Poasi Tei, Fisi’itotoa Favourites: The battle for the seat will
Kaufusi, Soane ‘Ahio Tongatapu 10 be a two-way one between current MP
Soane Kautai, Daniel Fale, Loupua Kuli, ‘Akosita Lavulavu and former MP Dr
Favourites: Current Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa Viliami Latu.
MP and Cabinet Minister Favourites: Current MP
Poasi Tei will face another Tei Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa will Niua 17
tough challenge from for- have a tougher run than Vatau Hui, Fe’ao Vakata
mer MP and lawyer Siosifa Tu’utafaiva. expected. Favourites: Represen-
The two stand out as the favourites His toughest challenger tative and former Cabinet
but musician Fisi’itotoa Kaufusi can pull will be lawyer Loupua Minister Fe’ao Vakata
the youth votes, which would also be a Kuli, who seems to be Tu’i’onetoa should retain the seat
major part of the constituency. gaining votes by the day without too much of a
Tongatapu 7 at the moment, especially amongst the problem.
Sione Hufanga, Vuna Fa’otusia, Olikoni women folks in the community. Vakata
Tanaki, Mavaetangi Manavahetau, Talanoa The likely scenario
Fuka Kitekei’aho, Tevita Sila- ‘Eua 11 With the current trend and final cam-
tolu, Sangster Saulala Sunia Fili, Hale Terepo, Silivia Ma’ake, paigning being done the results could
Favourites: Justice Min- Sunia Havea, Taniela Fusimalohi, Tevita have the Democrats winning 10 of the
ister Vuna Fa’otusia will Lavemaau 17 seats allocated for People’s Repre-
definitely have a tougher Favourites: Contest will sentatives.
fight on his hand this time be between current MP If that happens then Tonga will have
around. Fa’ousia and former Finance Min- a new government and a new Prime
Former MP Sagnster ister Tevita Lavemaau, Minister by the end of November.
Saulala is running again former MP Sunia Fili That government would have to be
with former Tonga Rugby Union CEO and former civil servant Lavemaau made up of the independents and the
Fuka Kitekeiaho also in the running. Taniela Fusimalohi. nine Nobles.
Another close contest is expected here. Ha’apai 12 What will then be left is the allocation
Tongatapu 8 Vili Hingano, Finau Uata, Mo’ale Finau of the top two positions in government –
Viliami Taufa, Viliami Sisifa, Mosa’ati Favourites: It’s a three-way battle that of PM and Deputy PM, and of course
Vaipulu, Penisimani Teisina, Semisi Fakahau here. Govenor Moale who gets what portfolio.
Favourites: Agriculture and Fisheries Finau resigned to try and Top bets for PM will be Siaosi Sovaleni,
Minister Semisi Fakahau win back his seat he lost ‘Aisake Eke and Samiu Vaipulu – pend-
looks to be the favourite in 2014 and will give ing on them all retaining their seats.
but Vaini District Officer current MP Vili Hingano The Nobles will be happy to be in gov-
Viliami Sisifa could prove a good run. ernment again and at this time there is
to be the strongest chal- Ha’apai 13 indication that they will not run for PM
lenger for the seat. ‘Esafe Latu, Veivosa Taka, Finau or the deputy position.
Hon Fakahau is a sea- Fa’ousia ‘Elikisoni Langi If the Democrats win 14 seats then
soned civil servant and Favourites: Veivosa Taka looks set to they will get to lead government again
has experience working for international retain his seat here, in another three- – which might result in Tonga having Mr
organisations such as the Food Agricul- way battle. Pohiva back as PM – that if he also wins
ture Organisation (FAO). Vava’u 14 his seat first. Interesting month ahead
Mr Sisifa has been the district’s lead Matini Veikune, Saia Piukala, Latu Lepolo indeed for Tonga!
man for Vaini, which is a major part of Favourites: Minister of Health Saia q iliesatora2012@gmail.com
the constituency. Piukala stands favourite in the constitu-
ency, in another three-way battle for the

Islands Business, November 2017 11