14th November, 2017 A team from the Commonwealth Observer Group is currently in Tonga to observe Tonga’s general election scheduled for Thursday 16th November, 2017, following an invitation from the Prime Minister.
Former Speaker of Parliament and Attorney-General of New Zealand, Margaret Wilson, is leading the Commonwealth Observer Group, which will oversee the pre-election period, the poll, the count, and the declaration of results.
In her statement to the media yesterday Ms. Wilson stated that her team, “will assess whether the election have been conducted according to the national laws of Tonga and to the Commonwealth standards to which Tonga has committed itself”.
Ms. Wilson stated that their presence in the Kingdom is part of the Commonwealth Observer Group’s commitment to member states national democratic processes. “Credible and peaceful elections that enable citizens to choose their leaders is at the heart of the Commonwealth Charter”, she added
The Commonwealth Observer Group emphasized that registered voters should cast their votes on election day.
Over the next few days before the election, the group will be meeting with relevant stakeholders regarding the election process and before electoral teams will be deployed to the outer islands.
ENDS
Issued by the: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel (676) 24 644 Fax: (676) 23 888; For media enquiries- Email: pressoffice@pmo.gov.to Website: www.pmo.gov.to