Tonga
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes
Comments: "There are 5 constituencies, and they are the same for both Peoples and Nobles, with representation as follows: Tongatapu:3 members; Vava'u: 2 members; Ha'apai: 2 members; Niuatoputapu-Niuafo'ou: 1 member; 'Eua: 1 member." Campbell in Elections in Asia and the Pacific p,815
Source: Electoral Act Section 4(2)(a). Ian Campbell in Elections in Asia and the Pacific, p, 815
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 01:04:21 GMT
BD02 The authority responsible for final approval of the constituency boundaries is:
a. The legislature (national/subnational)
Comments: Boundaries are established in Land Act
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 06:13:20 GMT
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
b. Respecting natural barriers
Comments: All constituencies are separate islands
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 06:14:25 GMT
BD04 If population is a criterion, which population figure is used?
g. Not applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 06:15:08 GMT
BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
g. Not applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 06:15:43 GMT
BD06 What statistical or other reasons trigger the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries?
m. Not applicable
Comments: Representation and therefore boundaries is based on separate islands and does not seem to be weighted according to population numbers.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer. Ian Campbell in Elections in Asia and the Pacific.
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 01:18:51 GMT
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Supervisor of Elections
b. Full Address PO Box 62, Nukualufa, Tonga
c. Telephone (676) 24644
d. Facsimile (676) 23888
e. Email pvuki@pmo.gov.to
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Tongan/English
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 08:18:58 GMT
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
c. Local level
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer Electoral Act Section 3
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:59:02 UTC
EM03 The national electoral management body reports to:
b. The Prime Minister
Source: Electoral Act Section 3
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 00:49:24 GMT
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
b. The Prime Minister
Comments: Internal Affairs of PM's office
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 06:03:43 GMT
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
g. Other
Comments: Supervisor of Elections
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning OFficer
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 00:52:07 GMT
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
c. For an unspecified period
Comments: Composed of 4 members
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 00:52:57 GMT
EM07 The national electoral management body chairperson, or equivalent, is chosen in the following way:
d. Presidential/ Prime Minister appointment
Comments: The Prime Minister appoints the Supervisor of Elections
Source: Electoral Act Section 3
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 06:06:51 GMT
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
a. estimated total: 2000usd
Comments: 2 000 USD
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer (Jul 2003)
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:59:02 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 53000
Comments: Figure as at March 2002
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer
Last updated: 2008-01-21 13:59:02 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government
g. Inherited monarchy
Source: Constitution Part II Sections 30, 31 & 32
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 03:12:37 GMT
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
f. Other
Comments: It is an Inherited Monarchy and the Head of Government is the King. It is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the King is real. the 12 person ministry id appointed by the King.
Source: Constitution Section 31 Campbell in Elections in Asia and Pacific, p,811
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 04:54:40 GMT
ES03 Does the country have a president?
b. No
Source: Constitution Sections 30 & 31
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 00:19:57 GMT
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
a. One chamber
Comments: The Legislative Assemby
Source: Constitution Section 30
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 09:20:25 GMT
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)
Source: Campbell, Elections in Asia and the Pacific P,815
Last updated: 2004-07-13 15:50:21 UTC
ES06 What is the electoral system for Chamber 2 of the national legislature?
l. Other
Comments: Not Applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 00:28:56 GMT
ES07 If List PR is used, is a highest average formula used?
h. Not applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:10:12 GMT
ES08 What is the level at which seats are distributed in Chamber 1?
b. Specially delimited constituencies
Comments: There is a two-class suffrage. Nobles vote only in the nobles' election; the people vote only in the election for people's representatives (Campbell in Elections in Asia & the Pacific). There are 5 Constituencies of varying size. They are the same for both People and Nobles. Representation is as followers: Tongatapu - 3 members; Vava'u - 2 members; Ha'apai - 2 members; Niuatoputapu-Niuafo'ou - 1 member; 'Eua - 1 member.
Source: Constitution Section 60. Campbell in Elections in Asia and the Pacific, p,815
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:13:24 GMT
ES09 What is the level at which seats are distributed in Chamber 2?
d. Not applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:16:18 GMT
ES10 Are special constituencies or seats reserved in Chamber 1 for specific groups, such as minorities, specific nationality or other groups?
a. Yes
Comments: There shall be elected by the Nobles of the Kingdom from their number nine nobles as representatives of the nobles and there shall be elected by electors duly qualified nine representatives of the people. The Legislative Assembly shall determine how both classes of representatives shall be apportioned amongst the various districts. (Con. S.60)
Source: Constitution Section 60
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:15:26 GMT
ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
d. Other- proportion of total seats (%) 50% Nobles (9 Seats), 50% people's representatives (9 seats)
Comments: Note according to the Constitution the King has the power to appoint Speaker of the Assembly. The King also (seems to) appoint ex officio members to act as a cabinet, with himself as head.
Source: Constitution Section 60 and 61 www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2317_A.htm
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:39:19 GMT
ES12 Are special constituencies or seats reserved in Chamber 2 for specific groups, such as minorities, specific nationality or other groups?
c. The national legislature consists of one chamber only
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:24:02 GMT
ES13 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:
e. Not applicable Not Applicable
Comments: Not Applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:25:21 GMT
ES14 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a party to win seats in Chamber 1?
c. Not applicable
Comments: No political parties in Tonga- only individual candidates. Individual candidates are elected on a simple majority.
Source: Campbell in Elections in Asia and Pacific, p,820
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:25:57 GMT
ES15 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a party to win seats in Chamber 2?
c. Not applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:27:06 GMT
ES16 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a candidate (independent/party) to win a seat in Chamber 1?
a. No minimum
Source: Pita Vuki, Chief Returning Officer
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:29:14 GMT
ES17 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a candidate (independent/party) to win a seat in Chamber 2?
c. Not applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:32:23 GMT
ES18 Regarding the timing of the elections for Chamber 1, which of the following is true? Elections take place:
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
c. On a fixed day of the week (specify day, specify if holiday)
d. Other
Comments: a. 3 years (next 2005) c. Thursday from 9am to 4pm. No holiday but employers need to release their employees for voting. By-election if someone resigns or dies. Also the King has the power to dissolve the Legislative Assembly at any time and command that new elections take place.
Source: Consititution Sections 38 and 77 Electoral Act Section 10
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 08:15:36 GMT
ES19 Regarding the timing of the elections for Chamber 2, which of the following is true? Elections take place:
e. Not applicable
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:34:14 GMT
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
b. Separate legislation
Comments: The constitutional aspects refer to the power of the King and the rights of Nobles.
Source: The Electoral Act Constitution
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:42:12 GMT
LF02 What is the date of the latest version of the national electoral law (including latest amendments)?
a. January 2000 or later
Source: Amendment No.10 of 2000.
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:43:49 GMT
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 07:48:28 GMT
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA) and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2006-03-15 12:06:49 UTC
LF05 Are there provisions in the law which permit or require regional and/ or local election (s) to be held on the same day as national elections?
a. National elections are not held on the same day as regional or local elections
Comments: Local elections held in 2001 - next in 2004
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:58:06 GMT
LF06 Are there provisions in the law which permit or require presidential election (s) to be held on the same day as national legislative elections?
c. Not applicable
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:58:55 GMT
LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
a. Judiciary
c. Specially Appointed/Elected Electoral Tribunal
Comments: a. Supreme Court. c. Only concerning the voter roll.
Source: Electoral Act Part V Section 25 & 26. Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer
Last updated: 2006-03-15 12:07:32 UTC
LF08 If the agency(ies) which settles formal disputes is/are specially appointed/elected; by whom?
d. Legislature
Comments: Appeal Committee appointed by the Council on recommendation from Supervisor of Election. Note the Electoral Act provides for election petitions to be heard and tried by the Supreme Court.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002. Electoral Act Part 5 - Election petitions
Last updated: 2006-03-15 12:07:47 UTC
LF09 Who has the right to submit cases to the person or agency(ies)which settles formal disputes?
a. Candidates
c. Voters
e. Other
Comments: Other: petitions may also be presented by "people who had the right to vote" and a person alleging himself to have been a candidate at the election, as well as candidates and voters.
Source: Electoral Act Part V Section 26
Last updated: 2006-03-15 12:08:22 UTC
LF10 What body(ies) is the final appellate authority for formal electoral disputes?
c. Superior Court
Comments: Supreme Court
Source: Electoral Act Section 30
Last updated: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 08:05:01 GMT
LF11 Which body(ies) proposes electoral reforms?
f. Other
Comments: Supervisor of Elections, also the King - the King's powers are very real and extensive and do not seem to be codified, the implication is he can propose any sort of reforms, electoral or otherwise.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer Constitution Sections 30 and 31
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 09:22:34 GMT
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
g. Not applicable
Comments: There are no political parties in Tonga. The Constitution and the electoral legislation does not prevent political parties, but none have developed. In August 1994 the People's Democratic Party was formed but foundered almost immediately.
Source: Campbell in Elections in Asia and the Pacific p, 812
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 06:56:53 GMT
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable
Comments: There are no political parties in Tonga. The Constitution and the electoral legislation does not prevent political parties, but none have developed. In August 1994 the People's Democratic Party was formed but foundered almost immediately.
Source: Campbell in Elections in Asia and the Pacific, p,812
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 06:58:31 GMT
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
f. Registration
j. Other
Comments: Age for candidature is 21 years. You must also be able to speak and write Tongan.
Source: Electoral Act Section 9(2) and Form 4 of Schedule. Constitution Section 65
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:03:42 GMT
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
k. Not applicable
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:04:14 GMT
PC05 What are the legal qualifications for becoming a candidate at presidential elections?
k. Not applicable
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:04:51 GMT
PC06 What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
a. Current criminal incarceration
c. Criminal record
i. Unpaid debt
Comments: Unpaid debt by court order.
Source: Constitution Sections 23 and 65. Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:10:10 GMT
PC07 What can disqualify a candidate at presidential elections?
o. Not applicable
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:10:36 GMT
PC09 If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 1), what are the registration requirements?
a. Signature requirement (specify)
b. Deposit requirement (specify)
Comments: 50 signatures required. Deposit is $200 Tongan dollars, aprox 100 USD.
Source: Electoral Act Sections 9(2),(3) and (4)
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:14:12 GMT
PC10 If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 2), what are the registration requirements?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:15:00 GMT
PC11 If independent candidates can compete in presidential elections, what are the registration requirements?
e. Not Applicable
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:15:55 GMT
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
c. Indirect
Comments: There are no political parties in Tonga. Candidates get free media access and transportation.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:24:16 GMT
PC13 If political parties receive direct/indirect public funding, when do they receive this?
d. Not Applicable
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:21:18 GMT
PC14 If political parties receive indirect public funding, identify the type of funding:
a. Free media access
c. Free state transportation
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:22:29 GMT
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
a. Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance
Source: Pita Vuki Chief returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:25:01 GMT
PC16 If political parties receive public funding, what is the specified purpose?
b. Election campaign activities
Comments: free media access and state transportation.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:26:50 GMT
PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
a. Yes
Comments: There is nothing in the Constitution or Electoral legislation that prohibits the forming of political parties but as yet there are no political parties. Candidates are entitled to private funding.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:29:48 GMT
PC18 If political parties are entitled to private funding, for what period?
c. As related to the election period and between elections
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:31:05 GMT
PC19 Which of the following party financing provisions are applicable?
e. Ceilings on party election expenses
Comments: No political parties but candidates cannot spend more than $10,000 Tongan for the campaign.
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 09:33:30 GMT
PC20 Which of the following candidate financing provisions are applicable?
b. Public disclosure of candidate expenditure
e. Ceilings on candidate election expenses
Comments: Candidates cannot spend more than $10,000 Tongan for the campaign.
Source: Electoral Act Section 24(1) and (5)
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:38:57 GMT
Vote Counting
VC01 What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Single ballot (all registered parties listed)
e. Ability to vote for candidates within parties (personal vote)
Comments: e.) The voter puts a tick beside the name(s) of candidate(s).
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 14:17:20 UTC
VC03 What are the characteristics of ballots used at presidential elections?
s. Not Applicable
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:01:05 GMT
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: Electoral Act Section 16(1)
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:02:26 GMT
VC05 What procedures are used in the initial count?
d. Number of ballots in box reconciled against number of voters
e. Number of ballots reconciled against ballots initially received (minus spoilt and unused)
g. Single tallying as voters are being called out
j. Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate
l. Counted by hand
o. Data fed into computer for calculation
r. Observers and party agents are permitted to take their own copies of the results
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002. Electoral Act Section 16.
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:05:46 GMT
VC06 Following the sorting and counting, to where are the results first transmitted for consolidation?
e. National level
Source: Electoral Act Section 16(1)
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:06:38 GMT
VC07 At what levels are seats allocated?
c. Regional level (specify whether it is constituency/ province/ state/ department/other)
Comments: Constituency level.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002. Campbell in Elections in Asia and the Pacific p, 815. Electoral Act Section 4(2)
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:11:03 GMT
VC08 How are the initial/preliminary polling results transmitted and communicated to the different levels?
a. Physically transported
b. By telephone
c. By fax
Comments: Use of Telephone or Fax is only for remote islands all others are physically transported.
Source: Electoral Act Section 16(1). Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:13:52 GMT
VC10 If the polling results are physically transported, what security measures are used?
a. No security measures
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:27:55 GMT
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
d. By request
Comments: Candidates requesting a recount must pay $300.00 Tongan.
Source: Electoral Act Section 17
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:29:14 GMT
VC12 If automatically recounted, what is the trigger?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:29:47 GMT
VC13 If ballots are recounted by request, who can make the request?
b. An individual candidate
Source: Electoral Act Section 17
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:30:40 GMT
VC14 If recounted, who conducts the recount?
a. National Election Management body
Comments: Supervisor of Elections
Source: Electoral Act Section 17
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:32:16 GMT
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
Comments: Notices and list of polling stations are placed in the local newspapers.
Source: Electoral Act Section 5(4), Section 7 and Section 8(1)
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 02:14:20 GMT
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 02:16:42 GMT
VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
a. No
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 02:18:34 GMT
VE04 What types of voter education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
b. Media advertisement
Comments: Local newspapers and radio.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 02:21:08 GMT
Voting Operations
VO02 Is there a code of conduct for election officials?
a. Yes
Comments: There is no formal code of conduct for election officials. Tonga is a member of PIANZEA and PIANZEA members voted on and accepted a code of conduct for elections officials at the 2002 PIANZEA Workshop.
Source: Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002 and Alistair Legge PIANZEA Secretary.
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:44:51 GMT
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments: The Electoral Act seems to allow the elector to vote at the "nearest polling station for the district in which he is registered" but the practice seems to be specified polling stations - in effect this may be the same thing ie only one polling station per district.
Source: Electoral Act Section 11(1) and Section 13(1)
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:49:23 GMT
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
a. Outside the country voting is not permitted
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 16:11:12 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
g. Not applicable
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 16:11:24 UTC
VO06 Can people vote in advance of the designated national election day(s)?
a. No
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 16:11:51 UTC
VO07 If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), how may they do so?
f. Not applicable
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 16:12:00 UTC
VO08 If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), specify who:
g. Not applicable
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 16:12:13 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Comments: Electors strike out with "pen or pencil all names on the ballot paper other than those representatives he wishes to elect."
Source: Elkectoral Act Section 12(3) and (4)
Last updated: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 07:56:58 GMT
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
f. 21
Source: Electoral Act Section 4(3) and Constitution Section 64
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 01:37:21 GMT
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
e. Other
Comments: A Tongan subject who is a resident must be able to read and write and is not "insane or imbecile", a person who has not been convicted of a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for more than two years (unless receiving a pardon from the King).
Source: Consititution Section 64 & 23 and Electoral Act Section 4(3) 4(4)
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 01:48:17 GMT
VR03 What restrictions on registering to vote and voting exist in the country?
a. Criminal Incarceration
b. Previous Conviction
d. Mental disability
Comments: In prison for 2 years or more. Where out of prison (2 years or more) needs King's pardon.
Source: Consititution Section 23.
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 01:50:04 GMT
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Supervisor of Elections
Source: Electoral Act Section 3
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 01:50:50 GMT
VR05 What is the registration method for national elections?
b. Voters register
Source: Electoral Act Section 4
Last updated: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 06:23:52 GMT
VR06 How frequently is the voters register updated?
a. Continuously
Source: Electoral Act Section 4 and 5.
Last updated: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 01:56:32 GMT
May 20, 2008 07:20 AM
