12:22 PM |
Tongan voters to have ID cards
Posted at 19:03 on 22 April, 2010 UTC
Tongan voters will be required to have identification cards as the country heads into democratic elections in November.
The country's politicians have this week signed off on legislation that will ensure the majority of MPs are popularly elected for the first time when the country goes to the polls on November the 25th.
Our correspondent, Mateni Tapueluelu reports that in the King's speech closing the current session of Parliament mention was made of a number changes that would be necessary ahead of the vote.
"He mentioned that there would have to be work done still to ensure that democratic elections will take place smoothly and he mentioned that there will now be a national identification for voters, that they will use now in voting, to make sure one person, one vote."
It's expected that Tongans living overseas will have the right to vote as long as they've got the requisite ID cards.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand
Tongans still nervous about first truly democratic elections
Updated
Since the start of the year the Commonwealth has been running a citizen education program in Tonga to help prepare people for the change to democratic rule. The next elections will be the first where the King will not choose who joins government. Instead the elected MP's will make the choice. With just months until the poll, many are concerned that Tongan's are not prepared for making sure their vote counts.
Presenter: Campbell Cooney, Pacific Correspondant
Speaker: Melino Maka, Chairman, New Zealand Tongan Advisory Council
- Listen:
- Windows Media
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