9 Jun 2014

Reports Tonga's democrats in disarray

12:04 pm on 9 June 2014
Democratic Party leader Akilisi Pohiva.

Democratic Party leader Akilisi Pohiva. Photo: RNZ / John Barr

There are reports in Tonga of a split in the Opposition Democratic Party with suggestions 4 MPs will be dropped from the Party's line up for the November election.

Radio Tonga says the Party's deputy, Dr Sitiveni Halapua, Semisi Tapueluelu, Falisi Tupou and Sione Tione, all holders of seats on Tongatapu, could be dumped.

But the leader Akilisi Pohiva says that is not necessarily the case.

He says a decision on who will stand for the Party is still to be made by an independent committee with a decision likely next week.

"They have to come out with justification of why did they push one or two candidates, current members, and get people from outside to replace the seats in Parliament."

Akilisi Pohiva says it is important that MPs are committed to the Party and are people he can work with.