2010 Tongan general election

General elections were held in Tonga on 25 November 2010 to elect 26 members of the Legislative Assembly. Initially expected to be held in 2011, King George Tupou V called a snap election in September 2010, following the passage of democratic reforms, which saw the monarch cede most of his executive powers to the prime minister and cabinet. The reforms also increased the people's seats from nine to 17, allowing commoners to elect a majority of members of parliament (MP), while the nobility continued to elect nine members.

Most contestants campaigned on their personal records and relied on the local ties, although the Tonga Media Council attempted to keep the election issue-focused by hosting weekly candidate forums. The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (PTOA), formed shortly before the election and led by veteran politician and reformist ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, was the major contesting party. The PTOA, along with all other parties, lacked a clear manifesto and policies. The other three parties that participated had a very limited presence during the campaign. Most candidates ultimately ran as independents.

The PTOA won 12 of the people's seats, two short of a parliamentary majority, and independents secured five. Independents received a combined share of 67% of the popular vote, while the PTOA garnered 28%. None of the other parties won any seats and no women were elected. Over 90% of eligible electors voted in this election. Following the election, the PTOA nominated Pōhiva as its candidate for the parliamentary vote for prime minister, despite the party's deputy leader, Sitiveni Halapua, having been floated as its nominee during the campaign. Two independent people's MPs nominated Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō, a nobles' representative. The Legislative Assembly voted for a prime minister on 21 December, which was won by Tuʻivakanō, who received 14 votes. Pōhiva received the support of 12 MPs and the PTOA became the de facto opposition. Tuʻivakanō was sworn in the following day, succeeding Feleti Sevele, and his cabinet was inaugurated on 4 January 2011.