The names of five candidates submitted for the Constitution and Electoral Commission may receive the formal endorsement from the Privy Council at the end of this week.

The names of the five candidates will not be released until the official endorsement by the Privy Council, said Paula Ma'u, the Deputy Secretary of the Prime Ministers office, who confirmed on November 14 that they had received all five nominations prior to the deadline on November 1.

He said the nominations would most likely be submitted to the Privy Council for endorsement on Friday, November 21 since there was no Privy Council on November 14.

The Constitutional and Electoral Commission Act, which came into force on July 23, provides for a five member commission, consisting of two by the Judicial Services Commission, one by the Cabinet who shall be the Chairman, one by the Nobles' Representatives and one by the People's Representatives.

It is then up to the Privy Council to approve or decline the nominations.

According to the Act the Commission is given 10 months from the date of its formation to submit a report and recommendations to the Privy Council and the Legislative Assembly.

It has a mandate from Parliament to investigate and then report on political reforms that need to be made to the Executive, the Legislature, and the Electorate.