Info
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
f . Inherited monarchy with a Governor appointed by the Monarch
Comments: The Queen in Right of New Zealand (Queen Elzabeth II) is the Head of State of Tokelau. The Queen's Representative is the Governor General of New Zealand, represented in Tokelau by the Administrator of Tokelau, appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Source: 'Tokelau Islands Information Paper, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade': http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Tokelau.php
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tl.html
Verified: 2009/09/30
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
f . Other
Comments: Article 3: General Fono
The General Fono consists of the following members -
The Faipule and Pulenuku of each village, and
One delegate from each village for every 100 inhabitants of that village, based on the latest available census figures rounded to the nearest 100 inhabitants.
Article 5: Executive powers of the General Fono
It is the duty of the General Fono to manage the following matters in the interests of the nation -
National budget appropriation and national financial management;
National public service;
The relationship of Tokelau with New Zealand;
International relations;
National integrity;
National resources;
National transport;
Telecommunications;
Postal services;
Policy and structures for national health and education;
Tokelau currency for coin collectors; and
Any matters related to any of these items and any matter referred by the Taupulega of each village to the General Fono for its consideration, decision, or legislative action.
The capacity of Tokelau to enter into treaties and other international arrangements shall be exercised by the Council for the Ongoing Government.
Any treaty or other international arrangement may be entered into by Tokelau only following a resolution of the General Fono to that effect.
No provision of a treaty or other international arrangement shall have the effect of law unless approved by the General Fono by Rule.
Every document that must be signed by Tokelau may be signed on behalf of Tokelau by the three Faipule, or the Ulu, as they decide.
Article 6: Council for the Ongoing Government
When the General Fono is not in session, the executive business of the General Fono shall be conducted by the Council for the Ongoing Government, which shall, after such consultation as it thinks fit, take the decisions necessary for the effective administration of Tokelau.
The Council shall include the three Faipule and the three Pulenuku, and portfolios shall be allocated to each member of the Council.
The National Government is represented by the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (which functions as the Cabinet), consisting of 3 Faipule (village leaders) and 3 Pulenuku (village mayors). The position of the head of government ('Ulu-o-Tokelau' - the leader of Tokelau) rotates among the 3 Faipule on an annual basis.
Source: Constitution of Tokelau 2007, Article 3, 5-6
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TK/tokelau-constitution
'Tokelau Islands Information Paper, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade': http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Tokelau.php
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tl.html
Verified: 2020/01/22
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Article 5: Executive powers of the General Fono
It is the duty of the General Fono to manage the following matters in the interests of the nation -
National budget appropriation and national financial management;
National public service;
The relationship of Tokelau with New Zealand;
International relations;
National integrity;
National resources;
National transport;
Telecommunications;
Postal services;
Policy and structures for national health and education;
Tokelau currency for coin collectors; and
Any matters related to any of these items and any matter referred by the Taupulega of each village to the General Fono for its consideration, decision, or legislative action.
The capacity of Tokelau to enter into treaties and other international arrangements shall be exercised by the Council for the Ongoing Government.
Any treaty or other international arrangement may be entered into by Tokelau only following a resolution of the General Fono to that effect.
No provision of a treaty or other international arrangement shall have the effect of law unless approved by the General Fono by Rule.
Every document that must be signed by Tokelau may be signed on behalf of Tokelau by the three Faipule, or the Ulu, as they decide.
Source: Constitution of Tokelau 2007, Article 5
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TK/tokelau-constitution
'Tokelau Islands Information Paper, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade': http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Tokelau.php
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tl.html
Verified: 2020/01/22
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The General Fono consists of 20 seats.
Article 3: General Fono
The General Fono consists of the following members -
The Faipule and Pulenuku of each village, and
One delegate from each village for every 100 inhabitants of that village, based on the latest available census figures rounded to the nearest 100 inhabitants.
The delegates are designated by each village in accordance with the rules established by that village.
The term of office of delegates of the General Fono coincides with that of Faipule.
Where a need arises to replace a member during the term of office, the replacement shall be made by the village in accordance with the rules established by that village.
Source: Constitution of Tokelau 2007, Article 3
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TK/tokelau-constitution
'Tokelau Islands Information Paper, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade': http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Tokelau.php
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tl.html
Verified: 2009/09/30
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
d . Two-Round System
Comments: In the January 2002 elections, the General Fono adopted a population-based pattern of representation which in 2008 entitled atoll of Atafu to seven members, the atoll of Fakaofo to seven and the atoll of Nukunonu to six members – making a total of 20 seats. The representatives are elected to serve 3 year terms.
Source: 'Tokelau Islands Information Paper, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade': http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Tokelau.php
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tl.html
Verified: 2020/01/22
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Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
