Tongatapu 10 constituency may be facing a possible by-election if its current MP, Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, is unseated.
Hon. Tu’i’oneota was recently reported to be unwell after his bribery conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeals.
The former Prime Minister’s livestreamed speeches appeared to show he was overwhelmed after it was revealed that the majority of his former Cabinet ministers had dumped him and chosen a new Prime Ministerial candidate before the 2021 November general elections.
Hon. Tu’i’onetoa was finally ousted in that year’s premiership election and replaced by the current Prime Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku.
The Parliament’s official record, Hansard number 19 of October 27, 2022 showed that the former Prime Minister remained absent on medical leave.
It is understood Hon Tu’i’onetoa was attempting to fly to the US for his medical appointments.
A Parliamentary circular was sent to MPs this week to canvass a majority vote to allow another three-month extension of Tu’i’onetoa’s leave on medical grounds.
MP Māteni Tapueluelu has confirmed the circular to Kaniva News.
This meant Tu’i’onetoa has already taken up the three-month medical leave to which he is entitled under the Speaker’s authority.
The law allows MPs to be absent from the Legislative Assembly for no more than three consecutive months if they have permission from the Speaker.
After the three months, they can apply for another three consecutive months, but that application must be approved by a majority of the MPs with the advice of the Speaker.
The law says that “the Legislative Assembly may not permit the member to be absent for any period exceeding six consecutive months.”
The Tongatapu 7 MP Piveni Piukala said in a livestreamed by-election campaign address this week that a by-election was possible for Tongatapu 10 after January 24.
His revelation implied the completion of Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s three month medical absence that could be traced back to October 24, 2022.
However, the three months’ absence could trigger a by-election only if the House declines the application to extend Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s medical leave for another three months.
Hansard shows Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s name was recorded as being called out during the Parliament’s roll call on October 24. After that his absence is recorded on October 27 in Tongan as ‘continuing on his medical leave’.
All Hansards for November show Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s name was not listed in the section for MPs who sent apologies for their absence.
MP Mateni Tapueluelu told Kaniva News he did not see Hon. Tu’i’onetoa attending any Parliamentary sessions in November after Tapueluelu and two other new MPs took an oath after they won the November by-elections.
“The by-elections were held on November 3 and we waited for two weeks before we entered the House. When we were in the House he was not there,” Tapueluelu said of Hon. Tu’i’onetoa.
Those by-elections came after a by-election was held to replace the late Ha’apai MP Viliami Hingano. Tongatapu 8 will go to the polls next week in another by-election to elect an MP to replace late MP and Cabinet Minister Semisi Fakahau.
Kaniva News has contacted the Speaker for comment.
