Legislative Assembly of Tonga
Encyclopedia
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga
has 30 members, 9 members elected for a three year term in multi-seat constituencies via the single non-transferable vote
system, 9 members elected for a three year term by the 33 hereditary nobles of Tonga
, 10 members of the Privy Council
and 2 governor
s. The Assembly is controlled by the royal family and noble families. The Legislative Assembly sits for 4 or 5 months a year.
At the most recent elections on 17 March 2005, according to Adam Carr's Election Archive, 7 of the 9 people's deputies belong to the democratic Human Rights and Democracy Movement
. The electoral system does not allow any party to achieve power; one party exists in opposition. The electoral system, in which commoners (i.e., non-nobles) directly elect only nine of thirty seats in the Fale, does not allow political parties to form a government. Parties exist as pressure groups rather than electoral vehicles or patronage dispensers. A majority of the commoners in parliament belong to the Human Rights and Democracy Movement
. The People's Democratic Party
is the first registered party.
. This body met every three years and was continued in the 1875 Constitution
.
Originally the Legislative Assembly consisted of all holders of noble titles, an equal number of people's representatives, the governors for Ha’apai and Vava’u, and at least four Cabinet Ministers chosen by the monarch. An increase in the number of nobles from twenty to thirty saw the Assembly grow to 70 members. Amendments in 1914 saw a reduction in the size of the Assembly and annual sittings. The principle of equal representation of nobles and commoners was retained.
In April 2010 the Legislative Assembly enacted a package of political reforms, increasing the number of people's representatives from nine to seventeen, with ten seats for Tongatapu, three for Vava’u, two for Ha’apai and one each for Niuas and ’Eua.
The current Speaker is Hon. Lasike. An complete list of the Speakers is below:
. Political reform in 2010 saw the Prime Minister elected by Parliament from among its members, leading to responsible government
.
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
has 30 members, 9 members elected for a three year term in multi-seat constituencies via the single non-transferable vote
Single non-transferable vote
The single non-transferable vote or SNTV is an electoral system used in multi-member constituency elections.- Voting :In any election, each voter casts one vote for one candidate in a multi-candidate race for multiple offices. Posts are filled by the candidates with the most votes...
system, 9 members elected for a three year term by the 33 hereditary nobles of Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
, 10 members of the Privy Council
Privy Council of Tonga
The Privy Council of Tonga is the privy council of the Kingdom of Tonga. It belongs both to the executive and judiciary branches of government...
and 2 governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
s. The Assembly is controlled by the royal family and noble families. The Legislative Assembly sits for 4 or 5 months a year.
At the most recent elections on 17 March 2005, according to Adam Carr's Election Archive, 7 of the 9 people's deputies belong to the democratic Human Rights and Democracy Movement
Human Rights and Democracy Movement
The Human Rights and Democracy Movement is a political party in Tonga. Its leader is Uliti Uata.The HRDM was founded in the late 1970s as an informal group of Tongans interested in democratic reform. It was formalised in 1992 as the Pro-Democracy Movement, and contested several elections under...
. The electoral system does not allow any party to achieve power; one party exists in opposition. The electoral system, in which commoners (i.e., non-nobles) directly elect only nine of thirty seats in the Fale, does not allow political parties to form a government. Parties exist as pressure groups rather than electoral vehicles or patronage dispensers. A majority of the commoners in parliament belong to the Human Rights and Democracy Movement
Human Rights and Democracy Movement
The Human Rights and Democracy Movement is a political party in Tonga. Its leader is Uliti Uata.The HRDM was founded in the late 1970s as an informal group of Tongans interested in democratic reform. It was formalised in 1992 as the Pro-Democracy Movement, and contested several elections under...
. The People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party (Tonga)
The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Tonga. It was formed after a split in the Human Rights and Democracy Movement. The party was founded on 8 April 2005 in 'Atenisi...
is the first registered party.
History
A Legislative Assembly providing for representation of nobles and commoners was established in 1862 by King George Tupou IGeorge Tupou I of Tonga
George Tupou I, King of Tonga , originally known as Tāufaāhau I with some extra names: Tupou Maeakafaua Ngininginiofolanga , but took the name Siaosi when baptised in 1831...
. This body met every three years and was continued in the 1875 Constitution
Constitution of Tonga
The Tongan Constitution was enacted by King George Tupou I on 4 November 1875. It stipulates the makeup of the Tongan Government and the balance between its executive, legislature, and judiciary. The anniversary of its passage is celebrated annually as Tonga's Constitution Day.Tonga is a...
.
Originally the Legislative Assembly consisted of all holders of noble titles, an equal number of people's representatives, the governors for Ha’apai and Vava’u, and at least four Cabinet Ministers chosen by the monarch. An increase in the number of nobles from twenty to thirty saw the Assembly grow to 70 members. Amendments in 1914 saw a reduction in the size of the Assembly and annual sittings. The principle of equal representation of nobles and commoners was retained.
In April 2010 the Legislative Assembly enacted a package of political reforms, increasing the number of people's representatives from nine to seventeen, with ten seats for Tongatapu, three for Vava’u, two for Ha’apai and one each for Niuas and ’Eua.
Speaker of the Assembly
The Legislative Assembly is presided over by a Speaker, appointed by the monarch.The current Speaker is Hon. Lasike. An complete list of the Speakers is below:
| Name | Took Office | Left Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Hon. Viliami Tungi | 1875 | 1896 |
| ? | Hon. Siaosi Fuku'aho | 1897 | 1897 |
| ? | Hon. Siaosi Tu'ipelehake | 1897 | 1912 |
| ? | Hon. Finau 'Ulukalala | 1912 | 1938 |
| ? | Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune | 1939 | 1940 |
| ? | Hon. Tu'ivakano | 1941 | 1941 |
| ? | Hon. Nuku | 1942 | 1944 |
| ? | Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune | 1945 | 1945 |
| ? | Hon. Tu'ivakano | 1946 | 1948 |
| ? | Hon. Iosaiasi Veikune | 1949 | 1949 |
| ? | Hon. Tu'ivaikano | 1950 | 1950 |
| ? | Hon. Kalaniuvalu | 1951 | 1958 |
| ? | Hon. Ma'afu Tukui'aulahi | 1959 | 1984 |
| ? | Hon. Kalaniuvalu | 1985 | 1986 |
| ? | Hon. Malupo | 1987 | 1989 |
| ? | Hon. Fusitu'a | 1990 | 1998 |
| ? | Hon. Veikune | 1999 | 2002 |
| ? | Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano | 1 July 2002 | 2004 |
| ? | Hon. Veikune | 22 March 2005 | 2006 |
| ? | Hon. Havea Tui'ha'angana | 2006 | 2008 |
| ? | Hon. Tu'ilakepa Malakai Fakatoufifita Malakai Fakatoufifita, styled Hon. Tu'ilakepa, is a Tongan noble, politician, and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.Fakatoufifita was educated at Liahona High School in Tonga and in the USA... |
April 29, 2008 | 2010 |
| ? | Lord Tupou Tevita Poasi Tupou Tevita Poasi Tupou, styled Lord Tupou of Kolofo’ou, is a Tongan judge and former politician.During his political career, he served as Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister. He also worked as a lawyer... (interim) |
December 3, 2010 | December 21, 2010 |
| ? | Hon. Lasike Havea Hikule'o 'oPulotu Havea Hikule'o 'oPulotu, styled Lord Lasike, is Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly.Lasike was first elected to the Tongan Legislative Assembly in a by-election in 2005, following Lord Nuku's appointment to Cabinet. He was re-elected in the 2008 elections and again in 2010... |
December 21, 2010 | Incumbent |
Terms of the Tongan Legislative Assembly
Until 2010, the government was appointed by the monarch without reference to Parliament, and there were no political parties. The last term under the old system was the 2008 Tongan Legislative Assembly2008 Tongan Legislative Assembly
The 2008 Tongan Legislative Assembly is the previous term of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. Its composition was determined by the 2008 elections, held on April 23 and 24, 2008...
. Political reform in 2010 saw the Prime Minister elected by Parliament from among its members, leading to responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
.
| Term | Elected in | Government |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Parliament 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly The 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly is the current term of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. Its composition was determined by the 2010 elections, the first under a new system which saw the majority of seats elected by universal suffrage. The Taimi Media Network described it as "Tonga’s first... |
2010 election Tongan general election, 2010 Early general elections under a new electoral law were held in Tonga on 25 November 2010. They determined the composition of the 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly.... |
Independent |