A Tonga Electoral Commission banner with the message: "Vote so you can be counted". Photo: Tonga Electoral Commission
Two sons of the late Tongan Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva will contest the upcoming general elections.
Tongans will go to the polls on 20 November to elect their 17 representatives in the Legislative Assembly.
Samuela Pohiva will stand in Ha'apai 13, where he has been campaigning over the past month, while his older brother Siaosi will stand in Tongatapu 1, the seat held by their late father for over 20 years.
Nine nobles will also be elected through a seperate election, which will be held on the same day.
Tonga's Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki confirmed registration had closed on 18 September, with around 63,000 voters expected to cast their ballots - a slight increase from the last election in 2021.
Prime Minister 'Aisake Eke is set to fight to retain his position after just 10 months in the job, having replaced Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni in December last year.
Hu'akavameiliku has not ruled out running again, telling RNZ Pacific "time will tell" if he ends up becoming the prime minister.
Vuki said they expect new voters - those who will have turned 21 after the close of registration - to register by 5 November.
Candidates have this week to register on Wednesday, 8 October and Thursday, 9 October.
Each candidate must be nominated by at least 50 registered voters in the constituency in which they are standing.
While civil servants are eligible to stand in the election, they will have to resign from the civil service before registering as candidates.
Tonga's Supervisor of Election Pita Vuki (third from left), New Zealand High Commissioner Matthew Howell (third from right) and Tonga Electoral Commission chairman Lord Dalgety KC (second from right) with the New Zealand government's assistance. Photo: Tonga Electoral Commission
Meanwhile, the Tonga Electoral Commission (Komisoni Fili) office has received new voting screens and signage from the New Zealand government in preparation for the polls.
The office received the assistance through the Electoral Commission New Zealand.
High commissioner to Tonga Matthew Howell handed over the assistance to Tonga Electoral Commission chairman Lord Dalgety KC and Pita Vuki.
"This donation marks another milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two electoral bodies focusing on technical advice and capacity-building to enhance the integrity of Tonga's electoral processes," Vuki said.
He said the Tonga Electoral Commission remains committed to upholding the principles of democracy by ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate freely and fairly.
"The support from New Zealand reinforces Tonga Electoral Commission's mission to conduct credible elections that reflect the will of the Tongan people."
Vuki and the Assistant Supervisor of Elections Henele Telefoni were also in Australia earlier this year to observe the conduct of the Australian general elections.
Tonga's Assistant Supervisor of Elections Henele Telefoni, left, and Supervisor Pita Vuki in Australia earlier this year to observe the conduct of the Australian general elections. Photo: Tonga Electoral Commission
