THE Public Service Commission has to date, not received any resignations from public servants who are planning to run as candidates in Tonga's General Election on November 25. There are though Civil Servants who have launched their election campaign.

Acting Secretary of the Public Service Commission, Dr Palenitina Langa'oi told Matangi Tonga on September 20, that the only civil servant who is intending to run in the election is Dr Taniela Palu, but he is seeking an early retirement.

Public servants

The Tonga Parliament on the evening of September 13 passed a Bill to amend the Public Servant Act, outlining the new requirement for public servants to resign from the civil service before registering as candidates for election. The Bill was passed with a vote of 16-1, against was Sunia Fili. This Act of Parliament though has not become a law, King George Tupou V has not given it his consent and it has not been gazette.

Dr Palenitina expected that resignations would not be more than 20, and that most would not start submitting their resignations until just before the registration dates of candidates on October 21-22.

"I think the new requirement under the law is good so as to keep the public service stable and separate from that of politics," said Dr Palenitina.