News

Tonga: Pro-democracy Candidates Win Big In Tonga Election, Pacific Magazine (2008)

Tonga's pro-democracy movement says it has a mandate for change following its big win in Thursday’s election, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Tonga Pro-Democracy MPs Claim Mandate

Tonga's pro-democracy movement says it has a mandate for change after winning most seats in the South Pacific kingdom's first poll since rioting destroyed much of the capital in 2006.

Tonga Pro-Democracy MPs Claim Mandate, The Sydney Morning Herald (2008)

Tonga's pro-democracy movement says it has a mandate for change after winning most seats in the South Pacific kingdom's first poll since rioting destroyed much of the capital in 2006.

Tonga: Commission pessimistic over ability of Assembly to meet 2010 election deadline, Matangi Tonga (2009)

Tonga's Constitutional and Electoral Commission released a report with over 80 recommendations for the re-structuring of the new Tonga government. One of the main concerns of the Commission is that there may not be enough time for the agreement on Tongatapu boundaries for the introduction of the proportional voting system.

Tongan electoral boundaries mean widely scattered seats, Radio Australia (2010)

Some of Tonga's new electoral boundaries for the upcoming elections in November will see some electorates scattered widely around the archipelago.

Tonga PSA forms party ahead of November election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

A new party was launched in Tonga, the Tonga Democratic Labor Party. This party was instituted by former and dissatisfied members of the Tonga's Public Servants Association.

Tonga grooms candidates for November poll, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

Parties in Tonga are preparing for the elections in November. Voters will be electing 17 of the 26 members of the Parliament.

Much work ahead of Tonga to prepare for elections following reforms, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

On November 25 Tonga will hold elections under new electoral laws. The Tongan Advisory Council is working with community groups to educate voters in advance of the polls.

Tongans told they have two more weeks to get on the electoral roll, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the upcoming elections in Tonga. The newly-established Electoral Commission is urging Tongan voters to register in the electoral rolls for the November elections, as registration is compulsory. The country will elect the first democratic Legislative Assembly in its history.

Tonga Government to require public servants to resign if they run for Parliament, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the latest proposed amendment to Tonga’s Public Service Act. According to this amendment, public servants will have to resign first before registering as candidates. In the past elections, public servants could take a leave, campaign for the elections and then resign if elected.

Tonga’s new electoral roll due out next week, Radio New Zeland International (2010)

This article reports on the voter registration procedures in Tonga. The Supervisor of Elections announced that the final voters roll will be released next week, as the country prepares its 25th election. A new registration programme was started in June, and the final roll will now be distributed in every village. Nominations for candidates, on the other hand, will open in October.

Planned restriction on Tonga’s public servants contesting election called unconstitutional, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the proposed amendment to the Public Service Act in Tonga. The Tonga Democratic Labour Party will present a petition against this amendment, which would force public servants to resign before running for an election. According to the Party, this rule would break the Constitution and citizens' freedoms.

Another new political party emerges in Tonga as country prepares for 2010 elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the creation of a new political party in Tonga, the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands. This is the fourth party to created in the past few weeks, as the historical elections are approaching. As a matter of fact, on November 25th, citizens in Tonga will elect 2/3 of the country's MPs for the first time.

Tonga Government lays out timetable for November election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the release of the electoral timetable in Tonga. The Parliament will be dissolved by the King on September 30, and the Electoral Commission will call for candidates' nomination by October 22. The elections are scheduled for November 25, and the final results will be released not later than December 9.

Tongans in NZ keen to vote in elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the interest of the Tongan people living in New Zealand to vote in the next elections. It is still unclear whether or not it will be possible to vote from abroad in the November elections, when most of the members of parliament will be elected for the first time. The Electoral Commission stated that probably only the citizens in the country will be able to vote. It is estimated that half of all Tongan people like outside of the country.

Tonga candidate registration on two days in October, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the preparations for the elections in Tonga, The schedule for the candidate registration has been set: October 21st and 22nd. The Electoral Commission will will take care of these operations. The candidates must pay a 200$ fee, collect 50 signatures of registered voters from their constituency and prove that they have no criminal record. Elections are due on November 25th.

Tonga’s PSC says no resignations yet from public servants running in elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the controversy over public servants running for the November 25 elections in Tonga. A new bill, approved by the Parliament on September 13, rules that public servants must resign before running for the elections, yet the Public Service Commission has not received any resignations so far. The bill, however, has not become a law, as the King has not signed it yet, and resignations are expected to be submitted just before the deadline for the candidates' registration (October 21-22).

Around 170 candidates expected to register for Tonga election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the candidate registration in Tonga. Pita Vuki, supervisor of the elections, expects 170 candidates to register in the country's historic poll, scheduled for November 25. For the first time in the country's history, 17 of the 26 members of the parliament will be elected (only 9 out of 26 were elected in the last election). In order to register, candidates must a non-refundable fee (200 USD), present a court certificate and live in the electorate where they will stand. Furthermore, candidates cannot spend more than 5000 USD on their campaigns.

Candidates keen to register for November’s Tonga election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the reaction of the first candidates to register for next month's elections in Tonga. In the first hour, 30 candidates (10 of whom were women) registered for the elections. The registration will continue until tomorrow, and many more candidates are expected to register to compete for the 17 seats at stake.

Huge numbers failed to register for Tonga election, says woman advocate, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statements of a Tongan women’s activist regarding the voter registration in the country. According to Ofa ki-Levuka Guttenbeil Likiliki of the Women’s and Children’s Crisis Centre, many eligible voters will not be able to vote because the electoral authorities have not been clear on the registration modalities. The new electoral regulations required a new registration for all citizens in Tonga.

Tonga election supervisor satisfied with registration numbers, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statement of the supervisor of elections in Tonga, Pita Vuki. The supervisor stated that most people are registered for the elections (42.000 people). For the first time there has been a comprehensive registration process in the country.

Monitors to oversee Tonga’s election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the international observers that will visit Tonga for this month's elections. The Tonga caretaker government asked a number of countries to provide external oversight, and the New Zealand authorities stated that they will send six or seven observers.

Candidate in Tonga elections says family and community links will be feature in polls, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statements of a union leader who is running in the November 25 elections in Tonga. The head of the Public Servants Association, Mele Amanaki, stated that in the upcoming elections family and community links will be the most telling feature this year, as the new electorates are much smaller and village-based.

Calls for Tonga’s pro democracy groups to reach a broad agreement before elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the coalition building in Tonga. The leader of the Tonga Labour Party’s, Mele Amanaki, is calling for a broad agreement among all the pro-democracy groups, and invited all leaders to sign a memorandum of understanding before next week's election. For the first time, the MPs will elect the Prime Minister, and Ms Amanaki believes that the popularly elected MPs should form a coalition to resist the nobles' group.

Grave concern that many of Tonga’s election candidates don’t recognise the rights of women, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statements of the Tonga Women’s and Children’s Crisis Centre regarding the upcoming elections in the country. According to their their monitoring of campaigning, there is a lot of ignorance of issues affecting women, like for example the issue of the women's lack of access to land.

Aid donors offer training to new Tonga MPs, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article report on the assistance offered by international donors after the historic elections in Tonga. On November 25th, voters in Tonga will elect the majority of the MPs for the first time in the country's history. New Zealand, Australia and other neighbors offered support and assistance to the new MPs, who will will face greater responsibilities and play a more active role in Tonga’s affairs.

169 polling stations for Tonga’s general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the preparations for the elections in Tonga. The Supervisor of Elections announced that 169 polling stations will be set up in the 17 constituencies. 500 workers will supervise the voting operations: each polling station will have a returning officer and two to eight assistants.

Tongan monarch voices support for elections, ABC News (2010)

This article reports on the King of Tonga's position towards elections. King Tupou V states that he fully supports the upcoming elections. The Nobles in Tonga have nine reserved seats in parliament, and they could form a government with the support of five independent MPs.

Polls in Tonga indicate pro-democracy MPs may do well in general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the latest opinion poll in Tonga. According to the new Tonga Media Council poll, candidates who pushed for democratic political change will sin half of the seats at stake in Thursday's election.

Hopes in Tonga women will be voted into Parliament in tomorrow’s general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses women's participation in the upcoming elections in Tonga. Among the 146 candidates, 11 women are running for the 17 seats in the parliament, and many women's rigths organizations hope that at least a few of them will be elected.

Tongan womens group says not enough women standing in general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statements of the chair of the Havelu Lotu Village women’s committee, Vika Kaufusi, regarding women's participation in the upcoming elections. According to Mrs Kaufusi, not enough female candidates are running, and women should be active in the parliament just as much as they are active in their villages.

Tongans vote in historic polls, Al Jazeera (2010)

This video reports on the historic election in Tonga. The Election Day is seen as a key test of the country's democracy and return to peace.

Polls in Tonga open for historic general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the voting operations in Tonga. For the first time, voters in the country will be able to elect the majority of the members of parliament (17 out of 26), while 33 noble families will choose nine representatives.

Tongans ready to vote under 'ordinary peoples' constitution, The New Zealand Herald (2010)

This article reports on the Election Day in Tonga. For the first time the representatives of "ordinary people" will outnumber the representatives from the noble families. The people will be able to elect 17 MPs for the first time, compared to the 9 MPs in the past. Furthermore, the new Prime Minister will not be appointed by the King, like in the past, but the parliament will elect him/her. Australia and New Zealand sent election observers to monitor the polls.

No clear winner in Tonga's first election, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operations in Tonga. According to the initial statements, Tonga's first election for a popularly elected government produced a high turnout but no clear winner. 89% of the 42,000 registered voters cast their ballots. Although the Friendly Islands Democratic Party dominated the electoral campaign and opinion polls, it might not win the majority to form a government.

Tonga Democrats 'leading' in polls, Al Jazeera (2010)

This article report on the vote counting in Tonga. According to the preliminary results from the parliamentary election, the pro-democracy leader Akilisi Pohiva has emerged as the winner of the election and his party supposedly won 12 of the 17 seats at stake. More than 140 candidates were competing for 17 contested seats in parliament the parliament.

Veteran pro-democracy campaigner has major success in historic Tonga elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the first results from Tonga's historic elections. According to the results, Mr Pohiva’s Friendly Islands Democratic Party won the majority of the seats at stake (about 12 out of 17). Tonga’s nobles stated that they want the country’s new prime minister to come from the people’s representatives.

Tonga’s Pohiva attributes election success to education, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article comments the results of the November 26 elections in Tonga. The Friendly Islands Democratic Party won 13 of the 26 seats at stake in the assembly and it is currently negotiating with independents to create a coalition government. None of the 11 women candidates succeeded in the election, and now there's a call for the new Tonga government to appoint women to cabinet.

Unsuccessful Tonga party eyes next election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the aftermath of the elections in Tonga. The Paati Langufonua Tu’uloa’s spokesperson, Sione Fonua, stated that his party already started recruiting new and more qualified candidates for 2014.

Tongan Democratic Party only got a third of election votes, Radio Australia (2010)

This article discusses the results of the latest elections in Tonga and presents an interview of the Secretary of Information in the caretaker government. According to the Secretary, the Democratic Party is not as popular as many people think: its victory, he argues, is mostly due to the independent candidates.

Tonga government closes down radio station amid post-election debates, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the government's decision to shout down a radio station in Tonga, FM 88.1. Apparently, the radio was accused of being partisan in their programming, airing only programmes of candidates in the pro-democracy movement in the Friendly Islands Democratic Party.

Tonga Supreme Court receives election petitions, Radio New Zealand International (2011)

This article discusses the two election petitions received by the Supreme Court in Tonga. Two unsuccessful candidates filed the petitions regarding the November 2010 election: one candidate claims that his opponent overspent the permitted amount on his campaign and is involved in cases of bribery, while the other one reports of a number of irregularities (lack of police control, voting after 4 pm, etc).