Photos by Linny Folau

Tonga may have a new Prime Minister at the earliest by Christmas Eve, according to the Interim Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, Lord Tupou, who said that the first chance to call a meeting for the secret ballot would be 24 December.

“But if everything is not done on that day and representatives have not completed their speeches on nominations, then the meeting will continue on December 29, the second available date, due to the holidays,” he said.

Lord Tupou in a press briefing today said that the return of the writs of election to the King had been completed by the Supervisor of Elections, Pita Vuki earlier in the day.

Nominations for the Prime Minister designate must be received by the Interim Speaker by December 23, or within 14-days from date of the return of the writs of election.

Within three-days from 23 December, Lord Tupou will call a meeting of all MPs to decide whom they shall recommend for the position.

The Interim Speaker Lord Tupou met 25 of the 26 newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) for the first time today in a closed meeting at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku'alofa.

The meeting was to explain the process, rules and procedures for the election of a Prime Minister designate, and for choosing a Speaker.

Nominations

'Etuate Lavulavu, the Vava'u No. 16 People's Representative, and the spokesperson for the seven Independent People’s Representatives, said that they should be able to confirm their nomination for Prime Minister before the end of this week. He said the seven independents including himself, Samiu Vaipulu, Fe’ao Vakata, Saia Piukala, Siaosi Sovaleni, Poasi Tei and Vili Manuopangai Hingano expected to meet this afternoon.

"We hope to have a nomination on Thursday this week but we are still in the agreement with the 10 members of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (DPFI) that Tonga’s next Prime Minister must be an elected People’s Representative," he said.

‘Etuate said they would meet with the nine Noble’s Representatives on Wednesday, 10 December as well as the 10 DPFI members to further discuss the nominations to find a way forward.

The DPFI affiliates are ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Semisi Sika, ‘Aisake Eke, Mateni Tapueluelu, Pohiva Tu’ionetoa, Semisi Fakahau, Penisimani Fifita, Tevita Lavemaau, Veivosa Taka, and Vuna Fa’otusia.

A nominated Prime Minister must receive more than half of the votes of a meeting of all the elected representatives of the People and the Nobles of the 26 members Legislative Assembly.

If no candidate is elected then the candidate/s who received the least votes will be eliminated and another meeing will be convened. The procedure may be repeated every two days until one candidate receives more than half of the votes cast.

The MPs pictured below were among the 25 elected MPs at today's meeting. The Minister of Health, Lord Tu'iafitu was not present.