First overseas observers for Tongan General Election [1]
Thursday, November 25, 2010 - 16:00. Updated on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 09:00.
A delegation of 14 observers, nine Australians and five New Zealanders, are in Tonga to observe Tonga's parliamentary election today Thursday, November 25.
Invited by the government of Tonga, the New Zealand observers are led by New Zealand parliamentarian John Hayes. His delegation includes Shane Jones, MP; Chester Borrows MP; David Parker MP and Noel Scott a former MP.
The Australian observers, led by Bob Davis include Eliza Woodlock DFAT; Timothy Macnaught, Office of National Assessments; Meg Johnson AusAID; Sue Moore AusAID; Rebecca Moloney Defence; Sigi Gartmann Treasury and Sandra Riordan AEC.
They met Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele on November 22, and held a formal briefing at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre where they met and asked questions about Tonga's Electoral process, firstly with the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Barrie Sweetman, and the Supervisor of Elections, Pita Vuki.
The briefing continued on November 23, with Tonga's Police Commander Chris Kelley, Tonga Media Council Inc. president, Pesi Fonua and deputy president Kalafi Moala, Drew Havea and Siale 'Ilolahia of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga.
In the afternoon the delegation visited polling stations in Tongatapu and also talked to people about the coming election.
Election day
The Second Secretary of the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku'alofa, Leilani Tamu, told Matangi Tonga on November 23 that some of the observers would travel to Vava'u, Ha'apai and 'Eua and observe the electoral process there on election day.
She said two of the Australian observers would travel to Vava'u, two to Ha'apai, with one New Zealand member for 'Eua. The remaining observers would be split throughout polling stations in Tongatapu in their observation of the electoral process, she said.
Following the election the group would report on its observations of the electoral process to the Government of Tonga. press conference would be held on Friday, November 26 at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.
It is understood that is the first time a group of overseas observers have come to Tonga to observe an election.