Tonga’s ‘Akosita Lavuavu wins Vava‘u By-Election, and becomes only female MP
19th July, 2016
June 2015 photo of ‘Akosita Havili Lavulavu (centre) with husband ‘Etuate (left) and the Tongan Prime Minister (right). Photo: Matangi Tonga online.
NUKU‘ALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, July 15, 2016) – ‘Akosita Havili Lavulavu(31) is the new Vava’u number 16 People’s Representative to the Tonga Legislative Assembly winning a By-election with 39.4% of the votes yesterday, Thursday 14 July.
With 754 votes ‘Akosita becomes the only woman representative in the Legislative Assembly. A Director of ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute in Nuku’alofa, ‘ Akosita was the first “Miss Face of Tonga” in 2002. She is married to ‘EtuateLavulavu who lost the seat in a court order this year.
Tonga’s Electoral Commission said today that 1913 voters turned out yesterday out of 2775 registered voters in this constituency. This represents a 69% voter turnout.
‘Akosita, one of four candidates was the only woman candidate.
Viliami Uasike Latu, a former Vava’u 16 People’s Representative who lost his seat to ‘Akosita’s husband ‘Etuate Lavulavu in 2014, trailed in second with 536 votes.
‘Atalasa Pouvalu polled 343 votes, followed by ‘Ipeni Siale with 280 votes.
The By-election was held to replace ‘Etuate Lavulavu who lost his seat after the Supreme Court found him guilty of bribery and overspending during his election campaign in 2014.
Source: www.pireport.org