General elections were held in Tonga on March 7, 2002, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.[1] Supporters of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement (HDRM) won seven of the nine seats for people's representatives. Voter turnout was 48.9%.[2]
Following the election, HRDM leader 'Akilisi Pohiva was arrested and charged with sedition over allegations of royal corruption published during the run-up to the election.[3] He was later acquitted by a jury.[4]
References edit
- ^ James, Kerry (2002). "The Recent Elections in Tonga: Democratic Supporters Win but Does Democracy Follow?". Journal of Pacific History. 37 (3): 313–322. doi:10.1080/0022334022000047858.
- ^ James, p. 314.
- ^ Michael Field (2002-05-13). "Tonga's king centre piece in sedition court case against politicians and journalists". Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ "MPs acquitted on sedition charges". The Age. 2003-05-20. Retrieved 2008-07-15.