Apology over ballot box lapse

Tofa Toailoa-Amituanai. Photo / Supplied

The vice-chairwoman of the Pacific Islands Board Auckland City, who walked out of an election meeting early - with the ballot box - has apologised.

Tofa Fialauia Toailoa-Amituanai last week apologised to members of the Pacific community after she took the ballot box home about an hour before voting closed.

Elections for three Tongan candidates on the board were held on March 31 at the Wesley Methodist Church Hall in Mt Albert, with voting to take place from 7pm to 9pm.

At about 8pm, Mrs Toailoa-Amituanai announced she had to leave the meeting early. Members of the public who arrived after that time were unable to cast their votes as there was nowhere to put them.

A number of people complained, and the issue has since been a hot topic on Tongan and Pacific radio stations.

At a board meeting last Thursday, which included members of the public, Mrs Toailoa-Amituanai apologised for taking the ballot box home and said it had been a mistake.

The interim chairman on the night, Nick Bakulich, yesterday said Mrs Toailoa-Amituanai accepted responsibility and apologised to those in the Tongan community, particularly those who were not able to vote.

"I can confirm that she actually apologised and took full responsibility for, obviously, the box being taken away.

"It was just an innocent mistake."

Mr Bakulich said Mrs Toailoa-Amituanai, who was in charge of the elections, explained that because a fourth candidate had not turned up, it meant the three remaining candidates would automatically be voted on to the board.

However, the election was important given that the number of votes a person received would count for something later.

In February, Auckland Mayor Len Brown offered to let a representative from each of the existing Pacific boards throughout Auckland be co-opted on to the Super City's appointed Pacific People's Advisory Panel.

The offer is still under consideration.

Joel Fotu, a Tongan lawyer who was one of those whose votes were not counted, was one of a number of complainants who spoke at the meeting.

Mr Bakulich said it was explained to Mrs Toailoa-Amituanai that her actions had breached what was earlier advertised, as the public was told voting would be from 7pm to 9pm.

The Pacific board chairman, Will 'Ilolahia, who was one of the three candidates selected, said he was happy to be re-elected but felt that therewere more votes that could not be counted.

Mrs Toailoa-Amituanai could not be contacted yesterday, but in an earlier written statement told the Herald: "The only apology I have given was to the people of Tonga if I had in any way impeded on their dignity."