Voter registration up for Tonga General Election 2014 [1]
Thursday, September 4, 2014 - 18:38. Updated on Thursday, September 4, 2014 - 19:07.
Around 49,000 people have registered to vote in Tonga's General Election on 27 November, which is a 17 percent increase from the number who registered in the last General Election in 2010.
The Commissioner and Supervisor of Elections, Pita Vuki, expected the number of voter registration to reach 50,000 for 2014.
He said in the 2010 election they recorded around 42,000 voters. To date, after a provisional electoral roll was published in May this year, they had recorded 49,000 people.
“This was after we removed from the roll around 800 names of deceased persons confirmed by the Ministry of Justice, National Civil Registry office, and district and town officers throughout Tonga.”
He said the provisional roll updated the 2010 roll and a final roll would be published on September 22, after the registration for voters ended on September 16.
Pita said a supplementary roll would be the last to be published on November 13 to include persons who turned 21 after the voter registration closing date.
"It is compulsory for a Tongan person who is over 21 and is not a noble to register to vote. A person who fails to register incurs a $50 pa’anga fee."
"The number of voter registration is definitely higher than the last election with the increase due to new voters. The majority of the new voters are young people between the ages of 21-35, which is good. I think this is because youths have have come to realise the importance of their participation in the election process."
Registration is free and first time voters are issued with national identification cards for the election free of charge. However, registered voters who have lost their cards but want new ones must pay $50 pa'anga.
Pita said if they choose not to get a new card, they can still vote by using either their passports or driver's license.
“If one does not have either they can take an oath at the polling station to confirm their identity and vote. This is to encourage and make it easier for people to vote. We do not expect to have a 100 percent voter turn-out but we hope to get the highest number possible,” he said.
In the 2010 election 91 percent of the 42,000 registered to vote turned out and voted. “We also expect a high number of turn outs this year,” he said.
Candidates
In the meantime, candidates registration will be held on October 23-24.
Candidates eligible to run must be registered voters who have no outstanding debts with the courts. They must pay $400 fee and have the nomination of 50 signatures of registered voters from the constituencies they are running in.
Pita said potential candidates had started their campaigns.
“They can campaign by appearing on radio, TV or by putting out advertisments on any media forum, just as long as these programs and ads are signed and authorised by either the candidates or a person above 21. The person who signs for the ads is responsible for its content,” he said.
However, all campaigns must cease 24-hours prior to the start of the voting at 9:00am on November 27.
Pita said $10,000 is the amount of money allowed for candidates to spend during the election. They can use the money for their campaign programs and ads but it is clear in the law that bribery of any kind with the aim to get votes is prohibited, he said.
“Candidates must also declare details of their spending within 14-days after the voting results are announced.”
In the meantime, the number of polling stations for the 17 constituencies will be announced soon most likely before the end of this month.
Pita said he did not expect there would any big difference from the 169 stations in 2010.
"Our work is ongoing and preparation is progressing well."
King Tupou VI is expected to issue the Writ of Elections on September 30, 2014.