Tongan Legislative Assembly to unseat members
A meeting of the Tongan Legislative Assembly will be held on 16 May to unseat two Members of Parliament from their seats, after their elections were voided by the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. The date for
Opinion: Global racial justice needs to be at the heart of Australian aid
The Greens’ vision for aid and development sees Australia not just contribute its fair share of Official Development Assistance (ODA), but also reimagines foreign aid, not simply as charity but as an issue of global
Former Tonga PM convicted for election bribery
Two Tonga MPs, one a former prime minister and the other a serving cabinet minister, have lost their seats in Parliament. Former PM, Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, and the minister for Internal Affairs, Sangster
Prime ministerial incumbency bias in PNG
Central to the selection of the prime minister in Papua New Guinea following a general election is Section 63 of PNG’s Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC), which was passed in 2001
Australia election: Climate the most important security issue, say military and political leaders
As voters in Australia head to the polls on 21 May, there is increasing debate over the link between climate change and security. Capitalising on the heated debate around the China-Solomon Islands security agreement, a
PNG election to be delayed by two weeks
The announcement by Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai, to delay PNG’s election by two weeks has met with concern. Sinai has confirmed Thursday 12 May, 2022 as the date for the issue of writs and
Ramos-Horta triumphs Timor-Leste presidential election
Nobel prize winner José Ramos-Horta has scored a landslide victory in the Timor-Leste presidential election, according to preliminary results published by the country’s election secretariat. The 72-year-old
K100m bill to affect PNG election security
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says service providers are owed K100 million (US$28 million) for PNG national elections dating back to 2012. This could cause problems for the call-out of disciplinary forces
San Nicolas announces bid to run as governor of Guam
Congressman Michael San Nicolas formally declared his intention to run for governor of Guam by filing his certificate of candidacy at the Guam Election Commission Tuesday. Sabrina Salas Mantanane, who recently resigned
Australia to provide $258k for Fiji General Election
Australia will contribute $258k to Fiji’s Electoral Commission to support an independent audit of the National Register of
Wallis and Futuna elects new assembly president
Wallis and Futuna has a new Assembly President, Munipoese Muli’aka’aka. As the only candidate for the role, Muli’aka’aka was elected unanimously by the 20 member assembly. Previous assembly
Breaking down barriers for women candidates in Tonga
The Tonga 2021 general election was one of the most eventful in the nation’s history as long dominant political parties were ousted by a new wave of independents. However, despite this political shift, women are
44 parties to nominate candidates for PNG elections
Papua New Guinea Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission has confirmed that only 44 parties will field candidates in the elections. Registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu said the commission had de-registered 10
PNG election polling date moved to accomodate threat of COVID-19 surge: Sinai
The PNG election polling date has been moved forward to 18 June from 25 June, Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has announced. Sinai said this cut the campaign period to 52 days from 28 April to 18
Political leadership in PNG: women parliamentarians in the 2017 election
The three women parliamentarians who were elected in the 2012 Papua New Guinea (PNG) election failed to win re-election in the 2017 general election. Their electoral defeats only deepen the concern for gender
Independents the winners in Tonga’s election
Is the party over? Tonga’s election has seen support for the country’s two major parties disintegrate, in favour of a large new cohort of independents, Kalafi Moala writes. The people have spoken and voted for
ANALYSIS: Challenges for Tonga as election looms
As Tongans lose faith in the major parties, the country’s election will likely see a rise in new independent members of parliament, Kalafi Moala writes. Tonga goes to the polls on 18 November to elect 26 members of
Tonga election 2021 – missing the ‘Akilisi Pohiva election factor
Tonga election 2021: Tonga’s most prominent political group Paati Temokalati ‘Otumotu Anga’ofa (PTOA) is sorely missing its leader, the late prime minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva in this year’s general election.
Tuilaepa rallies in vain
The political car rally that took place in Apia led by former Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi on July 30 was reminiscent of the rallies staged by supporters of former President Donald
Fiame prevails: “It’s a new day”
By Samantha Magick “Can I offer my deepest gratitude to you, the people of Samoa, and in particular acknowledge the dignity with which you have waited with patience and forbearance, peacefully and respectfully, for
Samoa Court of Appeal meets tomorrow
Samoa’s Court of Appeal has set this Friday 16 July for the substantive hearing of the case that could well be the final decider of Samoa’s ongoing political crisis and unresolved election reports Samoa Global
PUNA, Commonwealth speak on Samoa
As Samoa’s political impasse drags on, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says he’s confident “all parties will work together to convene parliament as soon as possible, in respect of the democratic
FAST swearing-in unlawful but Parliament must sit: Samoa Supreme court
The Samoa Supreme Court has declared the swearing in of the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party on the lawns outside Parliament was unconstitutional but has also ordered Parliament to convene within seven days
