NUKU‘ALOFA (Matangi Tonga / Pacific Media Watch): Tonga's ‘Atenisi University will hold a "festival of democracy" for two weeks next month in preparation for the country's November general election.
The elections will be only the second democratic ballot ever in Tonga, a constitutional monarchy which has traditionally been ruled by a king.
The first Tongan democratic elections for a 26 member Parliament took place in 2010 but with nine seats allocated to the nobility, and only 17 seats available for popularly elected representatives, the royals have managed to block reforms by forming a coalition with five of the popularly elected representatives.
This has left the pro-democracy Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (DPFI), with 12 seats, unable to make any progress in introducing reforms in Tonga.
And although Tonga is now a constitutional monarchy, its king still controls the army and the judiciary.
The 'Atenisi University festival of democracy says it won't endorse any particular candidates but will "encourage greater understanding of and involvement with democracy in Tonga", Opeti Taliai, the dean of ‘Atenisi University, told Matangi Tonga.
"We want to reach out to Tongans who are disengaged from the democratic process, and urge them to understand and exercise their rights."
Speakers at the festival will include Tongan historian Dr Ian Campbell and Professor Malakai Koloamatangi, Pasifika director at the University of Massey.
Other speakers include former Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele, MP Sitiveni Halapua, Lupepau’u Taione, Dr Cecylia Dziewiecka and NZ Labour MP Mark Burton.
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Pacific Media Watch
