That year 105 stood for the 17 seats open to members of the general public, but just 86 are to stand on 16 November.
Fifteen of the candidates are women.
Most of the candidates are in the ten seats on Tongatapu, and Tongatapu One, which has been held by caretaker prime minister Akilisi Pohiva for many years, has the highest number of candidates.
Ten people are joining Mr Pohiva in contesting the seat.
