By Katalina Siasau

The date for Tonga's November General Election has not yet been set, said the Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki today, as the Electoral Office await the Writ of Election to be issued by King Tupou VI.

“The King will issue the Writ of Election around September, which will then confirm the official dates,” he told Matangi Tonga today.

General Elections are held every four years in Tonga. Tongans aged 21 years and above will have the opportunity to vote for their representatives  to fill the 17 seats allocated for People's Representatives in the Legislative Assembly.

The last General Election was held on 18 November, 2021, and saw 75 registered candidates, including 16 incumbent members running for election.

Tonga's Legislative Assembly

The Legislative Assembly consists of 26 members: 17 People's Representatives and nine Nobles' Representatives.

The Nobles' Representatives are elected by 33 noble title-holders and four Life Peers on election day, a different process than for the People's Representatives.

Voters declined

Vuki urged all Tongans who have turned 21 years old to register, as required by the law, to hold a registration card to be able to vote.

To register, he said they need to bring their birth certificate, national ID, or passport to the Electoral Office.

“After you register, make sure to go and vote on election day!" Vuki said.

He noted a decline in voter turnout over the years.

He noted that the turnout for the first election under the current system in 2010 was 91%, but it dropped to 62% in the 2021 election.

He said a National Census conducted shortly after the 2021 election, revealed some individuals stating they were not interested in voting.