Tonga MPs set to elect new prime minister on Monday

The two men vying to be Tonga's next prime minister are Lord Fakafanua and caretaker Prime Mininster Dr 'Aisake Eke.

Interim Lord Speaker Tangi'o Vaonukonuka announced the candidates at Monday morning's parliamentary meeting called to elect a prime minister.

The pair's identites have been kept secret throughout the candidate nomination period, which finished on Friday - three weeks after Tonga went to the polls on 20 November.

They are the only nominations for the role.

Eke came into office 12 months ago after taking over from his predecessor, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who resigned in the face of a vote of no-confidence.

Lord Fakafanua is a nobles representative for Ha'apai. He has been the speaker of parliament since 2017.

Today's vote for prime minister among the country's 26 elected representatives is by secret ballot. All members are present apart from nobles representative Lord Tuilakepa.

A speaker and deputy speaker will also be elected.

The successful candidate for prime minister must win by a majority. He will then go on to pick a cabinet, which must be approved and appointed by the King. The King must also appoint the successful candidate for prime minister to office.