Tonga: Monarchy to democracy, historic polls begin

Polls are under way in Tonga, where voters are casting their ballots for their first popularly-elected parliament.

The election marks the Pacific nation's transition from monarchy to democracy - and it has the support of the country's king.

About 42,000 people in the nation of 123,000 have registered to vote.

Al Jazeera's Stephanie Scawen reports from the capital, Nuku'alofa.