Two names submitted for Commission for Political Change [1]
Thursday, August 21, 2008 - 19:36. Updated on Monday, May 12, 2014 - 23:42.
The names of five candidates for the Constitution and Electoral Commission should be made known by next week, said the Acting Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Paula Ma'u yesterday, August 20.
Paula said that so far the Judiciary Services Commission had submitted the names of their two candidates, but he did not want to reveal the names until all of the five commissioners will be finalised next week when the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele returns from the Pacific Island Leaders Forum Meeting in Niue.
Paula said that the remaining three candidates to the five-members commission, one each from the Nobles' Representatives, the People's Representatives and the Cabinet had not been submitted, to date.
"I heard that the PRs have named Sitiveni Halapua as their candidate but no official submission has been filed," he said.
King
The names of the five candidates will go before King in Privy Council for their official appointment and confirmation.
The Tongan parliament passed the Bill for the Constitution and Electoral Commission Act 2008 on July 22.
The Commission is given 10 months from the date of its formation to submit a report and recommendations to the Privy Council and the Legislative Assembly.
The Commission has a mandate from Parliament to investigate and then report on political reforms that are needed to be made to the Executive, the Legislature, and the Electorate.