Safata has reluctantly backed down from a petition it had filed against the division of the constituency in the Electoral Act 2015.
The petition was presented to the Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao, last week.
The division means that the two M.Ps from Safata, Opposition Leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II and Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala will now compete for one seat.
That is the Safata West seat, which covers Nu’usuatia, Vaie’e, Sa’anapu, Sataoa and Lotofaga.
But this does not worry the Opposition leader.
“I feel for my brother M.P.,” said Palusalue said yesterday, referring to Manu’alesagalala.
“Because Tuilaepa and the Cabinet will not cast votes for him, the voters from the constituency will make that decision.
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“So wherever the line is drawn to divide the constituency, I am not worried about it because the constituency will decide who will stand.”
According to Palusalue, the petition against the change was objected to by Cabinet and Manu’alesagalala for political reasons.
“My belief is Manu’a made his objection clearly on the petition from Safata because he wanted Vaie’e and Nu’usuatia in this circle (Safata West),” Palusalue said.
“Vaie’e and Nu’usuatia were drawn into that circle for reasons that he (Manu’a) will get votes from them.”
Palu said that even if that was the intention from Manu’a “I am still not worried about it.
“He should’ve supported the petition from his constituency and not go against it for his own benefit.”
It was not possible to get a comment from Manu’alesagalala yesterday.
As for the petition from Safata, Palu said the constituency will respect the law and the decision by Parliament.
“Although the constituency did not support the electoral change that will affect the foundation of Safata, we have decided to respect our laws and work on where that line is drawn,” said Palu.
Recalling the night the Electoral Act was passed, Palu raised concerns about the kind of demoracy in Parliament.
He pointed out that while the Parliamentary committee tabled a recommendation that did not support the bill, it was still ignored.
“It’s politics at its dirtiest,” said Palu. “The Prime Minister made it clear in Parliament that the matter (on Electoral Act) calls for a collective vote from the political party.
“He was a member of the committee along with other H.R.P.P. members…he threatened his members in Parliament that they had to vote for the Minister’s motion otherwise they will be dealt with.”
Palusalue questioned the democracy of Parliament.
“I am saddened that this is how every bill will be dealt with in Parliament,” he added.
“They threaten their M.Ps to vote collectively when it’s something that they want to push through…that is not democracy.”
Inside Parliament last week, Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi called for a party vote from H.R.P.P. on the bill.
“When a Minister stands to move a motion, that counts all Cabinet Ministers and everyone in this political party,” Tuilaepa said referring to the H.R.P.P.
“Even though it’s a (motion) from the Committee, it does not take away political party (power) inside Parliament.”
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