NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA (BNO NEWS) — Tonga nationals on Thursday submitted their historic votes for the country’s first popularly-elected parliament.

As the small Pacific island took transition to democratic policies, Tonga King George Tupou V described the election as ‘the greatest and most historic day for our kingdom.’

“You will choose your representative to the parliament and thus the first elected government in our country’s long history,” King Tupou told Tonga’s 42,000 citizens.

Tonga nationals are voting to choose 17 of the 26 members of parliament with 9 seats reserved for the country’s nobility.

U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary Philip J. Crowley on Thursday acknowledged the importance of the voting, congratulating the country, its people, and commending King Tupou V for his ‘committed efforts to bring about genuine democratic reform.’

“Today’s election of the nation’s first popular majority parliament marks a watershed moment for the Tongan people, clearly demonstrating that the democratic value of people having a say in their own government applies across cultures and regions,” Crowley said.

“The United States applauds the Tongan people as they advance further on their democratic journey, and looks forward to continuing and strengthening its engagement with the government of Tonga and its citizens,” he added.