Akilisi Pohiva's Tongan pro-democracy movement wins controversial general election

November 17, 2017

The election was held a year early after King Tupou dissolved Parliament.

Akilisi Pohiva's pro-democracy movement in Tonga has taken out the win in the Kingdom's general election, held yesterday. 

The caretaker Prime Minister's democratic party has taken 14 out of 17 seats, meaning Pohiva will likely be reinstated as Prime Minister.

All nine cabinet ministers of Tonga's caretaker Government were re-elected. 

The general election was held a year early after King Tupou dissolved parliament and ordered a new election to be held due to performance and conduct concerns against Pohiva. 

In an unusual move, a coin toss was used to decide one of the nine seats reserved for nobles following a draw. 

Around 59,000 people registered to vote in the general election. 

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