Transcript
PITA VUKI: The proclamation that came also said that an election should be held no later than the 16th of November so we are working backward from that date and trying to fix in a timetable that fits all our rolls in. Probably by early next week we will be able to confirm those dates, including for the dates for the nominations of the candidates so we will by then, those dates, know exactly how many candidates standing for this coming elections in November.
KORO VAKA'UTA: You mentioned working back from the final date. What have you first had to do, what is the first thing the office has had to do?
PV: We are still trying to compile our electoral roll because we were currently working on updating our electoral roll, thinking that the election would be next year. Our staff has just completed a visiting programme to all the villages of this main island in Tongatapu. We just completed that last month and we were planning to go out to the outer islands to continue the same works but this came in last week and we have to compile the rolls as soon as we can so we can continue with out preparations.
KV: Are you confident though that the roll will be as up to date as possible?
PV: Yes. We're compiling the roll for the main island now and we just are going to get more registrations for the outer islands probably later this week and we will be able to publish the roll for the elections. That's what we are currently doing, just trying to update the roll to the best of our ability now.
KV: But just logistically, what is the biggest challenge with that short timeframe.
PV: I think the updating of the roll would be the biggest challenge for us because as I mentioned earlier we were trying to work on that thinking that the election would be held next year, but apart from that the rest of the normal practice will the same as a normal election. Like the nomination of candidates and all that sort of thing.
KV: So basically all the structure is in place just ready for kick off?
PV: Yes that is correct. It is just a matter of confirming the timetable. As I said earlier, the 16th of November is there so we are just trying to fit in our timetable towards that schedule.
KV: You mentioned the candidates, I understand in the past New Zealand resident Tongans have been able to stand by coming back but that may be an issue too now?
PV: Yes that could be an issue because they are required to be here three months before an election if you wanted to stand as a candidate. That's how the Constitution sits.
