Transcript
PITA VUKI: We have sent all the election materials to the outer islands, including the two islands to the north of Tonga, the two Niuas. They've all got their material now and over the last two weeks we have trained all the polling officials from 'Eua, Tongatapu and Vava'u and yesterday Ha'apai and the Niuas. So polling officials have been trained to ensure that they are expected [to do] on election day so I think we are on track.
KORO VAKA'UTA: I know the last time we spoke you were trying to expedite the roll process, did you get that up to what you wanted to?
PV: Yes. We have printed the final roll and including the supplementary roll for those who have become qualified. We have around 59,000 voters for this election. I am quite satisfied with how things are going now.
KV: How does that compare to the last election?
PV: I think the last election we had 51,000. The preparation of the electoral roll has to be based on the roll used in previous elections according to the law. We have managed to remove the deceased voters and enter in the new electors so as of today we have around 59,000 voters for next week's elections.
KV: How does that compare with those that you know who are out there? I guess, eligible voters, not everyone signs and registers.
PV: There are still a few people out there who haven't been registered but I am quite satisfied what we have done with the electoral roll. Everything is ready for next week.
KV: What is the turnout normally that Tonga gets?
PV: Last time, in 2014, we had about 79 percent of registered voters.
KV: And you think a similar figure would be expected?
PV: I hope. I hope that people would turn out to exercise their voting right on Thursday the 16th.
KV: And in terms of election day, what is the process? When do you think we can expect to see results through?
PV: The voting starts at 9 o'clock in the morning until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The counting will be held at the counting stations. It will be done by the polling officials as part of their duties. They will report to us after that. Then we will expect to announce the results on the night of the elections.
KV: What's the process from then towards government?
PV: From then, then we have to return the writs on or before the 30th of November. The return of the writs to His Majesty starts the process of electing the PM, [Prime Minister]. The process of electing the PM will be done by the Office of the Legislative Assembly.
Pita Vuki says election observers from the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Pacific Islands Forum and the US Embassy in Suva will all be in attendance during the election.
