three years. To be eligible to vote permanent residents must be present on Niue on the day of the elections, and there are no provisions under the Niue Constitution Act to allow voting rights to Niueans living abroad. Voters and candidates must be either New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Niue, have resided continuously in Niue for at least 3 years, and have been ordinarily resident in Niue in the year preceding enrolment as an elector or nomination as a candidate. The Constitution Act of 1974 requires that 20 members will be elected to constitute a Fono Ekepule [Niue Legislative Assembly] composing of 14 Members from each of the 14 villages and 6 Members from the Common Roll Register. At the first Meeting of the Niue Fono Ekepule a Speaker of the House must be appointed in order to legitimatise the Oath Swearing ceremony of all 20 elected members, which once completed a Premier is chosen to lead the Government. The Premier at his earliest convenience may, after consultation choose 3 members from the Niue Fono Ekepule to form a Team of Cabinet Ministers who will be responsible for the day to day of the government of Niue. Normally during the meeting of Cabinet Ministers a Clerk to Cabinet and the Secretary to Government will be present. The Premier and Cabinet Ministers may appoint a Chief Judge to form the Judicial arm of the Government thereby completing the legal requisites that are required by the Niue Constitution Act 1974.