Lord Dalgety QC has replaced Barrie Sweetman as the new Chairman of the Electoral Commission in a five-year appointment made by King Tupou VI.

Mr Sweetman, the first chairman since the establishment of the Commission in 2010, completed his term in July last year.

Linda Simiki Folaumoetu'i, the CEO of the Public Relations Commission and former Solicitor General, has been appointed Commissioner, a new position.

Pita Vuki, the Supervisor of Elections, who is also a Commissioner, said there had been only two commission members since its establishment, namely Sweetman and himself, although it was required to have three members.

Now, with the new appointees the Commission has three members. Both new appointments were effective on 29 April this year.

Role

The Electoral Commission was set up by the Electoral Commission Act 2010 as the first independent body responsible primarily for the management and administration of  Tonga’s General Election.

Its role has included managing and administering the District and Town Officers’ election and the election of board members for the newly established National Retirement Fund Board.

However, Pita said since the National Retirement Benefits Fund (Appointment of Directors) Regulations came into effect last year , the commission was no longer involved with the Retirement Fund Board members' election.