Four candidates vie for Sagaga Le Usoga seat

Four candidates will vie for the vacant Sagaga le Usoga seat in Parliament.

They will all contest the seat under the flag of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P). The candidates are:

• Fata Paulo Seuseu, of Afega • Vaotu’ua Maulolo, of Afega • Seiuli Ueligitone, of Malie • Logo Fetaomi Futialo, of Tuana’i Their candidacies were confirmed yesterday following a meeting with the leader of the H.R.P.P and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

On the other the hand, asked if the Tautua Samoa Party will have any candidates, leader Palusalue Fa’apo II said he was not sure.

“We still don’t have a candidate,” he said. “If we have one we will go, if not…” Back at the H.R.P.P’s headquarters at Petesa yesterday, when Tuilaepa addressed the candidates, he compared elections to horse racing. Looking at the political landscape in Samoa today, Tuilaepa said the Opposition’s horse "is sick".

“It has an Achilles problem,” he said. Speaking to the Samoa Observer later, Tuilaepa said there was a woman candidate who had withdrawn.

“She wanted to run but it’s been withdrawn until the (Electoral) Act is effective next year then she can hop on" .

Asked if there has been any money put aside for the candidates, Tuilaepa said no.

“That is up to the person.”

Minister for the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, said the party would not give out any money.

“The only thing that we are assisting with is the entry fee for the winning candidate,” he said.

“The money will be reimbursed by the party at the end.”

Yesterday, 40-year-old Fata Paulo, who is an employee at the Ministry of Health, said he is excited about the contest.

“I hope to contribute to the development of the village and the constituency,” said Fata.

“My village has signaled their support for me and have given that letter of support (to the H.R.P.P leadership).”

Asked if he was ready, Fata said: “It is in God’s hands now.”

The sole contender from Tuanai is Logo Fetaomi Futiale. Although contenders from the village of Tuanai hadn’t been successful in the past elections, Logo believes this is Tuana’i’s time. “It was my village’s will that I run in the by-election,” said Logo.

“It’s the first time that a member from my village has run for this (Parliamentary) term and I want to pursue that and serve my village.” Asked about his decision to join the H.R.P.P, he said actions speak louder than words.

“If we look at the work done in Samoa, the work (of the H.R.P.P.) speaks louder,” said Logo.

“They have not just preached about undertaking developments, they have done the work.”

The seat became vacant after the resignation by former M.P., Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, in February this year.

More than 200 new voters have registered for the constituency. The roll, which was temporarily closed on Thursday last week, recorded a total of 2,917 voters.

Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Electoral Commission, Faimalo Mathew Lemisio said the electoral roll for the same constituency during the 2011 general election was 2,781.

According to Faimalo, a number of young people have come in to ask about their obligation under the electoral law, which is a positive development.

“Generally, our promotional programmes, namely our TV ads and social media are attracting a lot of positive feedback, especially from our young people,” explained Faimalo.

“As you are probably aware, the election is hardly a hot topic amongst our young people.

“So it’s good to see a number of them coming into our Office to ask about their rights and obligations under the electoral laws, processes and systems.”

The O.E.C’s Registration Division has also been working tirelessly throughout the country.