No by-election until appeal court decides on Tapueluelu’s appeal, says Chief Clerk

The by-election for Tongtapu 4 to elect a replacement for the outgoing MP Mateni Tapueluelu will not be held until the Court of Appeal hears Tapueluelu’s appeal in March, said Parliament’s Chief Clerk Gloria Pōle’o.

Pōle’o told Kanva News this morning the Speaker of the House, Lord Tuʻivakanō and the Electoral Commissioner Pita Vuki had made the decision in a meeting they held yesterday.

Pōleʻo said the by-election for Tongatapu 4 will possibly be held in May if the Court of Appeal will rule against Tapueluelu’s appeal.

Kaniva News understands the decision to delay the by-election based on the fact that Tapueluelu has appealed his disqualification as an MP was a conclusion mutually agreed by the Speaker and the Electoral Commissioner.

Tonga’s Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said there was no part in Tongan laws or constitution that say a by-election must be pended if a respondent like Tapueluelu lodged an appeal after a court decision disqualified his parliamentary seat.

However Kefu said he advised the Speaker of the House to postpone the by-election until the Appeal Court made a decision on Tapueluelu’s appeal.

     

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NZ Kaniva Pacific