The Writ of Election has finally been returned in Tonga, meaning the election period is officially over and representatives can select their Prime Minister designate.
The delay in the return was due to a recount in Ha'apai over the weekend which confirmed the initial result of Viliami Hingano defeating Mo'ale Finau.
The Interim Speaker Lord Tupou says the Representatives now have 14 days to nominate who they would like to be Prime Minister.
He says this process and the upcoming holidays means a final vote on the position is likely on December 29th.
"That 14 days expires on the 23rd of this month. Within three days of that date I call a meeting of the members to come and discuss and vote on who they wish to be Prime Minister. We are running very close to Christmas here. I can call a meeting on the 24th but working on last time when we had a similar process, it took two days."
The only person to publicly declare they will stand for the post is Lord Vaea, who has the backing of the 8 other Noble Representatives.
