M.P. stood down

Gagaemauga No. 2’s Member of Parliament, Levaopolo Talatonu Va’ai, has been stood down from Parliament.

But Levaopolo yesterday told the Sunday Samoan that the decision by the Speaker of Parliament to stand him down as an M.P. is wrong.

The decision by La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polotaivao was confirmed by the Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Electoral Commission, Faimalomatumua Matthew Lemisio, yesterday.

As there are only four months until the General Election, there will not be a by-election.

Faimalomatumua said Levaopolo had registered to transfer to another constituency prior to the closing of the electoral roll.

“It’s his choice,” said Faimalo.

“For him to do it before the closure of the roll…he no longer qualifies.”

Contacted for a comment, Levaopolo said he received the letter from the Speaker standing him down on Wednesday.

However, he insisted the Electoral Law clearly stated that, once you are out of the roll, your seat is vacant in Parliament.

“But there is nothing in the law for you to lose your M.P. title,” he said.

“There is nothing in the legislative act or the electoral law.“So I don’t have to resign as an M.P…both acts are not clear, even the parliamentary standing orders.”

Levaopolo, who is running as an Independent in the coming election, said his decision was not effective until the next elections. “It is illegal, what they said to me. It is common sense to leave Parliament if you are out of the current electoral roll.” Asked what he planned to do about it, Levaopolo was unsure.

“It’s not clear. There’s nothing in the law for me to resign. I understand I will not sit in the seat in Parliament but I am still in Parliament. They (the Speaker) only informed me that I am losing my seat.

“That’s all right. It’s up to him but he has to explain the law. We all have to follow the words of the law.”

Leader of the Opposition Tautua Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II, described Levaopolo as a very active and vocal member who would call on government policies.

“He was the main pillar of the opposition for the last ten years. He will surely be missed. We wish him the best of luck. ” Palusalue said Levaopolo’s decision to change constituencies was his own. And such decisions required one to resign until the next election. He said Levaopolo had made some great contributions in Parliament and some were even endorsed by government.

“He was one of our main persons in the opposition who I relied on for his thoughts and position [on an issue]. We respect his decision to change constituency.”