Tonga’s Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva could respond to the vote of no confidence submitted against him between now and next Monday when the vote will be dealt with.
This has been confirmed in a notice of vote of no confidence distributed by the Speaker Lord Tuʻivakano in Parliament before the House closed today.
It said:
The Notice for a Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister, Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister, and supporting documents were distributed to Members of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga today upon direction from the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano. This direction was issued upon completion of the vetting of the motion by the Standing Committee on Privileges to ensure it complies with the requirements of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has advised that the motion will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Monday 20th February 2017. According to the Rule of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, the motion shall be balloted within 5 working days from the date it was first tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. As such, the motion shall be balloted by end of business on Monday 27 February 2917.
Details on Members of the Legislative Assembly who signed the motion will be released when the motion is read in the Legislative Assembly
The Prime Minister was not in Parliament while the notice was handed out.
As Kaniva reported, Pōhiva had asked the House to schedule the vote of no confidence against him.
Hon. Pōhiva said he wanted to make sure the vote did not clash with his upcoming meetings planned for overseas.
Lord Tu’ivakano said the actual vote of no confidence will have to take place by the end of Monday February 27.
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