By Katalina Siasau
The two nominees for Tonga's new Prime Minster Designate are Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke and Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, the Lord Speaker announced this morning in a special meeting of the Tonga Legislative Assembly, where elected representives will take part in a secret ballot to elect the PM. The first candidate, Dr 'Eke (People's Representative, Tongatapu 5) will address the House first. He will be followed by Dr Latu (People's Representative, Vava'u 16).
3:03pm
Tonga's Legislative Assembly and the public is awaiting esults from the election for Prime Minister to be announced in the House.
If a candidate receives half or more votes (13 or more) the Speaker will deliver the result to HM the King while the result remains in confidence with the Chief Clerk, and unknown to MPs in the meantime.
After King Tupou VI has seen the result then the Speaker will return to the House and reveal the result to the House.
But if no one receives half or the majority of the vote, the Speaker will defer the House to Friday, where MPs will gather again to the ballot, however, there will be no deliberation or debate just ballot.
During the deliberations, some MPs have addressed who they support for the top job. People's Representative Eua 11 Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, People's Representative Tongatapu 2 Dr Uhilamoelangi Fasi, and People's Representative Tongatapu 4, showed support for Dr Eke.
While for Dr Latu, the former PM Sovaleni, People's Representative Tongatapu 3 and Acting PM People's Rrepresentative Vava'u 15 urged MPs that Dr Latu is a great man for the job, as well as People's Representative Tongatapu 9 the Minister for Infrastructure, Sevenitini Toumou
11:03 am Dr Latu is currently addressing the House. The meeting is continuing in the House.
According to the House procedure, the two nominees must deliver their addresses to the House, before the elected members will have a chance to deliberate and debate. Then the two nominees will delivery their final address.
Then the House will proceed with a secret ballot.
Three Ministers appointed by the former Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameilku, to his Cabinet are not eligible to vote in this ballot, including Minister for Finance, Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister for MEIDECC, Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu, and Minister for Health, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola.
The news media and guests must leave the House during the ballot.
The Chief Clerk will count the secret ballots and then reveal the results to the Speaker in confidence.
