Tonga (Kingdon of)

Flag Description

Red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner.

Election type: Parliamentary

Election date: 17 March 2005

Number of registered voters: 65 000

Compulsory voting: No

Government

Type: Constitutional hereditary monarchy.

Chief of State: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)

Party in Government: No official party in government

Head of Government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since 3 January 2000)

Branches: Executive—The Prime Minister and Cabinet are appointed by the King Legislative- A unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea. There are thirty seats—twelve reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's thirty-three nobles, and nine elected by popular vote. Members serve three-year terms.

Judicial—Court of Appeals (Privy Council), Supreme Court, Land Court Magistrates' Court
Major political parties: There are no official political parties, but some candidates are aligned with the Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga (HRDMT) led by Rev. Simote Vea.

Suffrage: universal at 21

An ABC Radio Australia article entitled Tonga’s pro-democracy movement holds position after election dated 18 March 2005 reports Tonga's Crown Prince Tupouto'a saying changes to a more democratic system are possible but that there will be certain constraints.

A Government of Tonga media release entitled Election result for the people’s representatives dated 18 March 2005 gives vote numbers for the candidates, discusses new candidates and women candidates as well as voting trends for each of the districts.

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Last reviewed 21 September, 2005 by the Parliamentary Library Web Manager
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