Legal Challenge: Judicial Review Targets Lord Speaker and Legislative Assembly
Allegations Surrounding Vote of No Confidence Spark Second Judicial Review
Nuku’alofa Monday 23rd October. – The political landscape in Tonga has been shaken as news emerges of judicial review proceedings against the Lord Speaker and the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. This legal action comes in response to allegations concerning parliamentary procedures related to a recent vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, which was deliberated upon by the Legislative Assembly last month.
Seven out of the ten Members of Parliament who endorsed the motion for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister have initiated the judicial review. The defendants, the Lord Speaker and the Legislative Assembly, are currently seeking advice from their legal counsels as they contemplate their response to this significant development.
This marks the second judicial review during the current parliamentary term that involves the Legislative Assembly. The first judicial review has been temporarily halted as the Lord Speaker and the Assembly appeal a decision by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had dismissed their challenge to the court’s jurisdiction to investigate the internal proceedings of the Assembly.
This legal challenge has the potential to reshape the political landscape in Tonga, and all eyes are on the developments as the judicial review unfolds.
