Two senior Tongan electoral officials have observed Australia’s 2025 federal election to strengthen regional democratic practices.
Last week, Pita Vuki, Supervisor of Elections, and Henele Telefoni, Assistant Supervisor of Elections from the Tonga Electoral Commission (TEC), participated in the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) Election Visitor Program. They joined delegates from 14 Pacific nations to witness Australia’s electoral processes firsthand.
The program offered insights into early voting centres, election day polling booths, and measures addressing cyber security and misinformation. Delegates also experienced Australia’s election culture, including the traditional “democracy sausage.”
The AEC stated, “Australia is proud to support our shared democratic values and look forward to continued collaboration through the 2025 Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) network.”
The TEC emphasised that observing Australia’s electoral framework provides valuable insights to enhance electoral administration in Tonga. This aligns with Tonga’s efforts to promote electoral transparency and strengthen democratic processes in the Pacific region.
Tonga’s next general election is scheduled for November 2025.
