General elections were held in Tonga on 1 May 1981. Seven nobles were elected by their peers, whilst a further seven People's Representatives were publicly elected.
Amid a record voter turnout, four of the seven incumbent People's Representatives were unseated. Haûapai MP âÂÂUliti Uata was beaten by Pousima Afeaki; Tongatapu representatives Tomiteau Finau and Papiloa Foliaki were defeated by Joe Tuûilatai Mataele and Sitili Tupouniua; and Vavaûu MP Palavilala Tapueluelu was defeated by Ula Afuhaûamango.