A former government advisor and democracy advocate says support is growing for Tonga's caretaker government since August's dissolution of parliament.
King Tupou VI dissolved parliament after the speaker claimed the government was acting unconstitutionally and trying to gather power for itself.
The government of 'Akilisi Pohiva was hampered by controversies during its tenure but managed to survive a vote of no-confidence earlier in the year
Voters will now go to the polls on November 16 and Lopeti Senituli said Mr Pohiva's support had grown through his recent troubles.
"There is no doubt about the fact that I think the dissolution of parliament will impact positively on Pohiva because there is a groundswell of sympathy for his government and his candidates," Mr Senituli said.
"That's a personal opinion."
Lopeti Senituli was among those taking part in this week's National Dialogue on Democracy in Nuku'alofa that was organised with the assistance of New Zealand's Massey University.
Photo caption: Lopeti Senituli