2021 Samoan by-elections

By-elections held in Samoa in 2021

2021 Samoan by-elections
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7 of the 51 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Samoa
  First party Second party
 
Leader Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
Party FAST HRPP
Seats before 26 18
Seats after 31 20
Seat change Increase 5 Increase 2
Politics of Samoa
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Six simultaneous by-elections were held in Samoa on 26 November 2021.[1] They were called in the aftermath of the 2021 Samoan general election, which resulted in seven seats being vacant due to resignations and convictions for bribery and treating. While seven by-elections were called, the contest in Falealupo was resolved without the need for a poll, after the Supreme Court declared the HRPP candidate Tuitogamanaia Peniamina Le'avai to be ineligible, resulting in the FAST Party's Fuiono Tenina Crichton being elected unopposed.[2]

The FAST party won four seats, and the HRPP two.[3] Following the by-election, the electoral commission declared Ali'imalemanu Alofa Tuuau and Faagasealii Sapoa Feagiai elected under the women's quota.[4]

Candidates

Formal nominations opened on 1 November 2021,[5] but the parties publicly announced candidates before then. 22 candidates were nominated in total: 10 from FAST, 9 from the HRPP, one from the Tautua Samoa Party, and two independents.[6] One candidate was rejected.[7]

FAST nominated former Manu Samoa coach Titimaea Tafua to contest Aleipata-Itupa-i-Lalo.[8][9] The HRPP nominated a single candidate, Fa'agaseali'i Sapoa Feagiai.[10] The Tautua Samoa Party nominated Su’a Samuelu Su’a to contest the seat,[11] but he subsequently withdrew his nomination.[12]

The HRPP nominated two candidates for A'ana Alofi No. 2: 2021 candidate Apenamoemanatunatu Tu'uau Letaulau and former MP Aiono Tile Gafa.[13] FAST renominated its 2021 election candidate Lolomatauama Eseta Mataituli.[14] Former Tautua candidate Faletutulu Ameti Faletutulu ran as an independent.[6]

The HRPP nominated Leleimalefaga Fonotia Ne'emia for Falealili No. 2.[15] FAST nominated two candidates, Fuimaono Ta'ala La'auli Talataina and Maiava Fuimaono Tito.[16]

Each party nominated a single candidate for Falealupo, with FAST renominating Fuiono Tenina Crichton[17] and the HRPP nominating Tuitogamanaia Peniamina Le'avai.[18] Crichton subsequently challenged Le'avai's eligibility to stand.[19] On 22 November 2021 the Supreme Court ruled that Tuitogamanaia was ineligible to stand and disqualified him from the by-election, meaning Crichton was elected unopposed.[2]

Each party also nominated a single candidate for Safata No 2.[6]

FAST nominated three candidates in Sagaga No. 2, against 2 for the HRPP.[20] The HRPP nominated two candidates, Maulolo Tavita Amosa and Faamausili Siona.[18] Vaotuua Michael Toevai ran as an independent.[6]

Each party nominated a single candidate for Sagaga No. 4, with FAST nominating Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa and the HRPP renominating its election candidate Tuisa Tasi Patea.[6]

Conduct

The by-elections were originally planned for 12 November,[21][22] and a warrant issued on 13 October. The next day the Speaker announced a new date of 26 November, attributing the delay to the different causes of the seats being vacant.[1]

In the lead up to the elections the government amended the Electoral Act to restore the use of special voting booths for those outside their constituency, reduce the pre-polling period, and limit the ability of village officials to block candidates.[23][24]

FAST candidate for Falealupo Fuiono Tenina Crichton challenged the eligibility of 186 voters for not being resident in the electorate.[25] He withdrew the challenge on 25 October.[26] A week out from the by-election, Fuiono filed a court case challenging the eligibility of his opponent Tuitogamanaia Peniamina Junior Leavai's candidacy.[27][28]

Faalogo Ivin Chan K. Tong, one of the FAST party’s candidates for the Sagaga No. 2 electorate, was ejected from his village of Malie on 17 November. Faalogo violated a village council decision prohibiting any further campaigning in Malie, leading to his banishment. Village chiefs denied the decision as being politically motivated.[29]

Campaign

FAST began its campaign on 23 October with a roadshow in Saleaumua,[30] and planned to use similar tactics to those used in the April elections.[31]

The HRPP initially denied they would hold roadshow events, which they had objected to as "a foreign practice" during the 2021 election campaign.[32] However, they began their campaign on 22 October with a roadshow-style event in Falealili 2.[33] The party conducted a negative campaign, accusing the government of being liars[34] and of using public money to campaign.[35] On 24 October HRPP secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi accused the Samoa Observer of being "campaign managers" for the government after it had criticised his party.[36]

Pre-polling began on 24 November.[37]

Results

Preliminary results showed the FAST Party winning four seats: Falealili No. 2, Aleipata-i-Lalo, Sagaga No. 4 and Safata No. 2.[38] The HRPP narrowly won the other two seats, A’ana Alofi No. 2 and Sagaga No. 2.[39] A full recount on 29 November confirmed the preliminary results.[3]

By constituency

From the Electoral Commission's final results:[40]

Sagaga No. 2
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
HRPP Maulolo Tavita Amosa 677
FAST Faalogo Ivin Chan K. Tong 614
FAST Fata Ryan Schuster 476
HRPP Fa’amausili Siona Tauafao 324
FAST Fata Meafou 292
Independent Vaotuua Michael Toevai 22
Turnout 2,405
HRPP hold Swing +10[41]
Sagaga No. 4
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
FAST Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa 1,217
HRPP Tuisa Tulimasealii Tasi Patea 801
Turnout 2,018
FAST gain from HRPP Swing +18[41]
Aana Alofi No. 2
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
HRPP Aiono Tile Gafa 412 36.75%
FAST Lolomatauama Eseta Faalata Mataituli 393 35.06%
HRPP Apenamoemanatunatu Tuuau Letaulau 220 19.62%
Independent Faletutulu Ameti Faletutulu 96 8.56%
Turnout 1,121
HRPP hold Swing -15[41]
Safata No. 2
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
FAST Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell 936
HRPP Nonu Lose Niumata 798
Turnout 1,734
FAST gain from HRPP Swing +29[41]
Falealili No. 2
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
FAST Maiava Fuimaono Asafo 577
HRPP Leleimalefaga Neemia Fonotia 396
FAST Fuimaono Laauli Talataina 174
Turnout 1,147
FAST gain from HRPP Swing +11[41]
Aleipata Itupa i Lalo
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
FAST Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua 1,146 64
HRPP Faagasealii Sapoa Feagiai 642 36
Turnout 1,788
FAST gain from HRPP Swing +54[41]

Aftermath

The Electoral Commissioner's decision to appoint additional woman MP's under the women's quota before the deadline for election petitions had passed enraged members of the government, who believed it to be unlawful.[42] FAST candidate for Aana Alofi 2, Lolomatauama Eseta Faalata, announced that she was planning an election petition, and that she planned to challenge the appointments.[43][44] The speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau, announced on 10 December that the swearing-in of the two female MPs declared elected via the female parliamentary membership quota would not occur until the Supreme Court finalised legal challenges on their appointment.[45] The HRPP announced they would challenge the decision in court.[46]

Electoral petitions were filed challenging the election of Fuimaono Maiava Tito in Falealili No. 2 and Maulolo Tavita Amosa in Sagaga No. 2.[47] These petitions were subsequently dropped. Former FAST candidate To'omata Norah Leota also lodged a challenge, seeking to overturn the calculation used to apply the women's quota.[48][49]

On 12 May 2022 the Supreme Court, although noting the declaration had been premature, confirmed the election of the two additional members. The court additionally declared To'omata elected as a third additional member due to the resignation of Leota Tima Leavai and her subsequent replacement by a man. The Supreme Court noted in its decision that when a man is elected to fill a constituency seat vacancy previously held by a woman, the constitutional requirement for a woman to also be elected as an additional member is separate from the quota requirement. Thus there are now a record 7 women parliamentarians.[50]

References

  1. ^ a b Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (15 October 2021). "By-election dates pushed back to end of November". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (22 November 2021). "Fuiono is the M.P. for Falealupo". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga (29 November 2021). "FAST Sweeps By-elections by Four Seats to HRPP's Two". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  4. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (29 November 2021). "H.R.P.P. wins two women seats in Parliament". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  5. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (1 November 2021). "Six candidates register on first day". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (5 November 2021). "Twenty-two candidates register for by-elections". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  7. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (9 November 2021). "Mystery by-election candidate rejected". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  8. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (12 October 2021). "F.A.S.T. unveils star recruit; by-election battles intensify". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  9. ^ BJ Telefoni Lima (11 October 2021). "Former Manu Samoa Coach Runs under FAST Ticket for Aleipata By-Election". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  10. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (15 October 2021). "Nurse to take on former Manu coach". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Tautua Samoa's by-election plan". Samoa Observer. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  12. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (12 November 2021). "Tautua Samoa pulls out from by-election". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  13. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (21 October 2021). "H.R.P.P. unveils A'ana Alofi No. 2 candidates". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  14. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (2 November 2021). "F.A.S.T. lone female candidate confident". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  15. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (22 October 2021). "Leleimalefaga set sights on Falealili No.2". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  16. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (17 October 2021). "Two F.A.S.T. recruits for Falealili No.2". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  17. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (14 October 2021). "Fuiono eyes Falealupo once more". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  18. ^ a b Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (15 October 2021). "H.R.P.P. reveals Falealupo candidate". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  19. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (11 November 2021). "High stakes court case could seal by-election". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  20. ^ Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga (26 October 2021). "FAST Endorses All 3 Candidates for Sagaga 2 in By-election". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  21. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (12 October 2021). "Speaker rules in corrupt arrangement raised by Court". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Polling Day for By-Elections Set for Friday 12 November 2021". Samoa Global News. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  23. ^ Lagi Keresoma (29 September 2021). "Parliament Passes Electoral Amendment Bill". Talamua. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  24. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (30 September 2021). "Savai'i voters praise electoral change". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  25. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (16 October 2021). "Candidate questions voters' eligibility". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  26. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (25 October 2021). "Fuiono drops voter objection challenge". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  27. ^ "Eligibility of Falealupo by-election candidate challenged in Court". Talamua Online. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  28. ^ "Court to hear Falealupo petition". Samoa Observer. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Candidate Banished from Village, One Week Before By-Elections". Samoa Global News. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  30. ^ Adel Fruean (23 October 2021). "F.A.S.T. kicks off by-election campaign". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  31. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (19 October 2021). "F.A.S.T. campaign kicks off this weekend". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  32. ^ Marc Membrere (18 October 2021). "Leala denies copying F.A.S.T. roadshows". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  33. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (23 October 2021). "H.R.P.P. takes by-election campaign to villages". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  34. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (21 October 2021). "Opposition goes negative before by-elections". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  35. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (23 October 2021). "Government using taxpayer money to campaign: Tuilaepa". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  36. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (24 October 2021). ""Campaign managers": Leala attacks Samoa Observer". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Pre-polling has begun in Samoa for six by-elections". RNZ. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  38. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (26 November 2021). "F.A.S.T. tops by-elections' preliminary results". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  39. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (26 November 2021). "H.R.P.P. retains two seats, preliminary count shows". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  40. ^ "Fa'aaliga manini o le taunuuga o faiga palota laiti na faatinoina le aso 26 o Novema 2021" (PDF). Office of the Electoral Commission. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  41. ^ a b c d e f Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (1 December 2021). "F.A.S.T.'s by-election landslide revealed". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  42. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (1 December 2021). "F.A.S.T. mulls by-election legal challenge". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 1 December 2021. The decision is understood to have enraged senior members of the Government as they allege the decision was yet again taken in a manner contrary to electoral law.
  43. ^ Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga (1 December 2021). "Lolomatauama Intends to File Election Petition and Questions Timing of Appointments for Women's Seats". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  44. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (3 December 2021). "Party to go to court over women M.P.s". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  45. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (10 December 2021). "Speaker defers swearing-in of two women M.P.s". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  46. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (13 December 2021). "H.R.P.P. to challenge Speaker's decision". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  47. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (15 December 2021). "Back to court for newly-sworn M.P.s". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  48. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (16 December 2021). "To'omata leads challenge on women M.P.s". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  49. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (16 December 2021). "By-election petitions in court". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  50. ^ Lagi Keresoma (12 May 2022). "Court rules Speaker to swear in 3 additional Women Parliamentarians". Talamua Online News. Retrieved 2 June 2022.