VOTING

Voting is a way for people to formally express their choice in an election.

Registered Tongans are eligible to vote starting at 21 years of age. Once you are registered, you have the right to choose who will lead and represent you.

At the community level, you can vote for positions such as Town Officer and District Officer.

At the national level, your vote in the General Elections determines your Parliamentary Representatives and ultimately influences who will lead the Government.

Voting is both a right and a duty of every Tongan citizen. However, participation rates have been declining due to various factors - including low engagement among young voters.

Voter Tunout

Source: Tonga Electoral Commission Office

YOUTH votes NEEDED

Youth make up over 30% of Tonga’s total population, yet they remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces.

Young people’s voices are essential in these spaces as they bring forward real challenges and fresh perspectives that shape a fairer, stronger, and more prosperous future for everyone.

Voting is not only a right but a privilege, and youth participation is a powerful way to influence positive change.

By taking part in elections, young Tongans help shape the nation’s direction and strengthen the foundations of Tonga’s democracy - ensuring their voices and values are part of the decisions that matter most.

REGISTER & VOTE!

If you are 21 years or older and haven’t registered to vote, you can register for November’s General Elections at the following locations, depending on where you live:

  • Tongatapu: Tonga Electoral Commission

  • Vava’u: Governor’s Office

  • Ha’apai: Governor’s Office

  • ʻEua and Niuas: The Government Head Office

All you need take with you to register is a National ID, which can be your Birth Certificate, Passport, or National ID Card.

Mark Your Calendars! VOTING DAY is - 20 November 2025!

Your polling station will depend on your constituency. For details, check with the Electoral Commission Office, Governor’s Office, or Government Head Office, which will provide up-to-date information on where you can cast vote.

UNDERSTANDING TONGA’S GOVERNING BODIES

Leadership Roles and Responsibilities for Making Thoughtful and Informed Voting Decisions

government structure

According to the Constitution, the form of Tonga’s Government is a Constitutional Monarchy, led by the King and his successors. The government is made up of three main branches:

  • Parliament / Legislative Assembly: Makes the Laws

  • Cabinet / Executive Branch : Implements the Laws

  • Judiciary: Interprets the Laws

These branches are separate by law, ensuring that each can provide oversight and prevent power from being concentrated in a single branch.

Parliament

The function of Parliament is to make, amend, and debate laws for the country.

Parliament is made up of two groups of representatives:

  • Representatives of the Nobles: Elected by the Lords of the region they represent.

  • Representatives of the People: Elected by voters from each registered constituency. Each constituency has one representative, allocated across the island groups as follows:

    • Tongatapu Islands: Constituencies 1–10

    • ‘Eua Island: Constituency 11

    • Ha’apai Islands: Constituencies 12–13

    • Vava’u Islands: Constituencies 14–16

    • Niua Islands: Constituency 17

CABINET

A People’s Representative, including the one you may have voted for, can be elected into the Cabinet. The Cabinet is responsible for implementing the laws passed by Parliament, making decisions on government policies and administration, and managing issues such as land leases.

Members

  • Headed by the Prime Minister, who selects ministers from Parliament.

  • Up to four non-Parliament members can also be appointed as ministers.

  • Ministers lead government ministries and the public service in their areas.

Role of Ministers

  • Develop policies that complement legislation, align with the Constitution, and benefit the nation.

  • Ensure policies address gaps and serve the needs of the people.

JUDICIARY

The courts are in charge of making sure laws are followed fairly. The main courts are the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Land Court, and Magistrates’ Courts. The Constitution makes sure these courts can work independently, without interference from the government.

The Supreme Court has a special role: it can check the actions of the Cabinet, Ministers, or Public Officials to make sure they follow the Constitution. It can also explain what laws really mean. If someone disagrees with a court’s decision, they can take their case to the Court of Appeal.

THE KING AND HIS PRIVY COUNCIL

The King appoints individuals he believes are best suited to serve as his advisors in the Privy Council. Ideally, these members should not be chosen from the Cabinet, so that the King in Privy Council remains independent and free from any conflict of interest between the two bodies.

By acting separately from the government, the King and his Privy Council serve as an independent check on governmental power.

The legal framework of Tonga establishes and governs the relationship between the King in Privy Council and the Government.