‘Akilisi Pohiva (76) has been elected by members of parliament as Tonga’s Prime Minister, declared at about 6:30pm, at Parliament House. He narrowly defeated his challenger, former Deputy PM, Siaosi Sovaleni by 14 to 12 votes. The result arrives four months after King Tupou VI dissolved parliament on August 24.

The 26 members of Parliament cast their votes in a secret ballot this afternoon, and the results were declared by the Interim Speaker Lord Tangi after they were delivered to the King.

It appears that the 14 who voted for ‘Akilisi were 14 of the 17 People’s Representatives. The 12 who voted for Siaosi Sovaleni, were most likely, all nine Nobles’ Representatives and three People’s Representatives, Siaosi Sovaleni, Tevita Lavemaau and Samiu Vaipulu.

The King will officially appoint the Prime Minister on a date to be confirmed by the Lord Chamberlain.

Following the election of the Prime Minister, the House proceeded to elect the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

Under the Tongan Constitution the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of parliament have to be elected from the nine Nobles’ Representatives in parliament.

The Interim Speaker, Lord Tangi announced that there was only one nominee, then the nominee would become the Speaker.

The People’s Representative for Constituency No. 9, Penisimani Fifita nominated Lord Fakafanua as the Speaker and Lord Vaha’I as the Deputy Speaker.  

He was warned by the Interim Speaker that he could nominate only one nominee at a time. There was no other nominee for Speaker and Lord Fakafanua became the Speaker.

Lord Nuku nominated Lord Tu'ilakepa as Deputy Speaker, and it was seconded by Samiu Vaipulu.

Penisimani Fifita responded by nominating Lord Vaha'I as Deputy Speaker, but Lord Vaha'i turned it down.

Another People’s Representative nominated Lord Tu'iha'angana as Deputy Speaker but he also turned it down.

Another People’s Representative then nominated Lord Tu'i'afitu, but he also turned it down.

Mateni Tapueluelu nominated Lord Nuku, but Lord Nuku turned it down because he had nominated Lord Tu’ilakepa.

All the nobles who were nominated by People’s Representatives as Deputy Speaker did not accept the nominations.

In the end Lord Tu’ilakepa, who was nominated by Lord Nuku, became the Deputy Speaker.

The new Speaker of the Tongan Parliament is Lord Fakafanua, and his Deputy is Lord Tu’ilakepa.