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Electoral Systems

Tonga Tonga

ES001

Head of State
Question:How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s): g. Inherited monarchy
Comments: The form of Government for this Kingdom is a Constitutional Government under His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV his heirs and successors. The King shall appoint a Privy Council to assist him in the discharge of his important functions.
Source: Constitution, Art. 30, 31, 32, 50: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TO/Tonga%20Act%20of%20Constitution%201988.pdf/view (2021)
Verified: 2021/09/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES002

Head of Government
Question:How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer: e. Appointed
Comments: The Cabinet or ministers of the King shall consist of the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Lands, the Minister of Police and any other ministers whom His Majesty may be pleased to appoint.
Source: Constitution, Art. 51: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TO/Tonga%20Act%20of%20Constitution%201988.pdf/view (2021)
Verified: 2021/09/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES003

President
Question:Does the country have a president?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 30, 31: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TO/Tonga%20Act%20of%20Constitution%201988.pdf/view (2021)
Verified: 2021/09/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES004

Number of Chambers
Question:The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer: a. One chamber
Comments: The King and the Legislative Assembly shall have power to enact laws, and the representatives of the nobles and the representatives of the people shall sit as one House. The Legislative Assembly of Tonga shall be composed of the Privy Councillors and Cabinet ministers, who shall sit as nobles, the representatives of the nobles, and representatives of the people. 17 of 26 representatives are directly elected by the people.
Source: Constitution, Art. 56, 57, 59: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TO/Tonga%20Act%20of%20Constitution%201988.pdf/view (2021)
Verified: 2021/09/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question:What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s): a. Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: Ten representatives are elected for Tongatapu, three for Vava'u, two for Ha'apai and one each for Niuas and 'Eua.
Source: IPU Parline Database: https://data.ipu.org/node/174/elections/electoral-system?chamber_id=13543 (2021)
Verified: 2021/09/13
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.