23 Sep 2019

Process to fill seat of Tonga's 'Akilisi Pohiva is underway

From , 5:04 am on 23 September 2019

The Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly has announced nominations have been opened to fill the parliamentary seat made vacant by the death of 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Mr Pohiva died in Auckland on Thursday last week after being medevaced from Tonga the previous day.

He was buried yesterday in Nuku'alofa after a state funeral attended by several thousand.

The Speaker Lord Fakafanua also the election of a Prime Minister Designate needs to go ahead before the by-election because there is a clear constitutional timeline to be followed when the post becomes vacant.

Don Wiseman asked our correspondent in Tonga, Kalafi Moala, whether the acting Prime Minister, Semisi Sika, is odds on to stay in that role.

'Akilisi Pohiva is carried into the St George Govt Building

'Akilisi Pohiva is carried into the St George Govt Building Photo: Matangi Tonga