Special Appeal Session this week to hear election appeals [1]
Monday, July 25, 2022 - 18:37. Updated on Sunday, January 8, 2023 - 10:20.
A Special Court of Appeal this week will include four appeals from Tongatapu People's Representatives to the Legislative Assembly, who were certified to have committed bribery in the lead up to the 2021 November General Election.
To be held on July 28-29, the special session will preside over a total of eight election petition appeals.
The four current Tongatapu People's Reps are; Deputy Prime Minister / MEIDECC Minister Hon. Poasi Tei [Tongatapu 6]; Minister of Finance, Hon. Tatafu Moeaki [Tongatapu 4]; Minister of Internal Affairs, Sangster Saulala [Tongatapu 7]; and former Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa [Tongatapu 10].
They are appealing, after they were certified by the Supreme Court to have committed offences of bribery under section 21 of the Electoral Act, in separate election petitions filed against them.
After the Court declared each of their elections void, they were scheduled to be unseated by Parliament.
However, they applied for a stay in the execution of their judgments pending the outcome of their appeals, which was granted by the Court.
The others are election petitions dismissed by the Supreme Court, including one brought by Semisi Sika against Tongatapu 2 People's Representative, Dr 'Uhilamoelangi Fasi.
Siaosi Pohiva will also have his appeal heard against the dismissal of his election petition against Tongatapu 1 People's Representative, Tevita Puloka, among other cases.