Kaniva News has learned that TASANOC’s former acting president, ‘Ahongalu Fusimālohi, is considering legal action over last week’s elections of TASANOC officers.
Fusimālohi, interim CEO ‘Emeline Tuita and 10 other candidates were disqualified by the Elections Commission.
Kaniva News understands that:
- Fusimālohi believes the elections were illegal because they were held outside the 30 day warning period mandated by the National Olympic Committee constitution.
- The candidates who were not allowed to stand were disqualified on the grounds of conflict of interest. It is understood they wanted a review of the process.
- Some candidates claimed the nomination forms were incomplete and did not contain all the criteria for the position.
Internal e-mails seen by Kaniva News shows that Fusimālohi tried to stop the election on June 16 and have it postponed until June 23.
Before the meeting he wrote to committee members saying that he had given members incorrect advice at the annual general meeting about when an electoral assembly could be held.
“I take full responsibility that I and the Secretary General have misled the AGM with the wrong advice.”
But a letter to the NOC from the International Olympic Committee seen by Kaniva News shows that while it was aware of the irregularities of the election process, it allowed the meeting to proceed because they had been approved by TASANOC’s annual general meeting.
The IOC, which has been at loggerheads with the government over Lord Sevele’s dismissal, confirmed that the meeting was being held without the 30 day notice required by the National Olympic Committee’s constitution.
However, the IOC said it appeared the date of the general assembly to vote for members had been approved at the NOC’s last general assembly.
Several committee wrote to the IOC expressing their concern at the early date of the meeting.
“We expect that all those involved in the meeting will act fairly and responsibly to avoid any unnecessary disputes and to make sure that, after years of unproductive conflict, the situation of the NOC can be normalised in the interest of the Olympic movement and the athletes of your country,” the IOC said.
Instead, what looks like open rebellion against Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has broken out in TASANOC, with the election of Lord Sevele and Viola Ulakai.
Lord Sevele, was dismissed by the government from his position as head of the kingdom’s Olympic committee over alleged failings and delays in preparation for the Pacific Games which Tonga is hosting in 2019.
Ulakai was stood down from her job as head of news at the Tongan Broadcasting Commission after infuriating the Prime Minister during an interview.
Also elected, as chair of the committee, was William Edwards, who is believed to have been associated with Lord Sevele’s legal action against his dismissal.
The election meeting was attended by IOC observer Vihdya Lahkan, who has been regarded as supporting Lord Sevele in his dispute with the government.
Earlier this year Lahkan threatened the Prime Minister that the kingdom could lose the Games.
The main points
- Kaniva News has learned that TASANOC’s former acting president, ‘Ahongalu Fusimālohi, is considering legal action over last week’s elections of TASANOC officers.
- Fusimālohi believes the elections were illegal because they were held outside the 30 day warning period mandated by the National Olympic Committee constitution.
- Internal e-mails seen by Kaniva News shows that Fusimaholi tried to stop the election on June 16 and have it postponed until June 23.
- Lord Sevele and Viola Ulakai, who have publicly cashed with Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, were elected.
For more information
Pacific Games Council’s warning to PM latest twist in troubled preparations for tournament
TASANOC proposes compromise to end deadlock over removal of Lord Sevele
