Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is confident that with four contenders the seat will remain a “strong hold” for the H.R.P.P.
Gagaifomauga youth will have a voice in the upcoming by-election, with many signing up to exercise their democratic right.
In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Acting Electoral Commissioner, Francis Ainu’u, says the voters’ register for Gagaifomauga No. 1. District has swelled with more than 150 new names added to the electoral roll.
He said this increase was compared to the number of voters listed on the 2011 role.
“The main roll in 2011 was 1013,” said Mr. Ainu’u.
“It had since increased to 1164 with 150 new registered voters.”
According to Mr. Ainu’u the majority of new voters are youths who, by turning 21 years of age, became legal to vote since the last election.
He also noted that 64 names of people who had passed on since 2011 had been removed from the role.
Mr Ainu’u also said there were definitely five candidates locked down for the upcoming by-election – four running under the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) banner and one for the Tautua Party, with nominations officially closing at 12pm last Firday.
The five candidates from the H.R.P.P. are Faimalotoa Kika Iemaima Stowers, Gaiga Aukusitino, Lavea Natoe Ieti, Taito Vaea Muese Tanu.
The sole contender from opposition Tautua Samoa Party is Lavea Peseta Lua Nafoi.
Mr. Ainu’u said Lavea was the last person to officially register his nomination with the Electoral Commissioner’s Office, doing so last Thursday morning.
He said the other candidates were particularly keen to enter the race, all entering their names on Friday July 25.
“The candidates have filled in necessary paper works and satisfied all the requirements,” said the Acting Commissioner.
“Everything is going well and so far there have been no complications in terms of preparations.”
The special election for the constituency was warranted by the Speaker La’aulialemalietoa Leautea Polataivao on June 27 following the death of former M.P Tuiloa Anetele’a Tuiloa.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is confident that with four contenders the seat will remain a “stronghold” for the H.R.P.P.
Tuilaepa claimed that the seat had never been occupied by any M.P. who represented the Opposition.
However, Tautua Samoa Leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II disagreed with this notion.
Palusalue said the late Tuiloa was an Independent M.P before he was approached by H.R.P.P to join them.
The by-election is scheduled for August 15 this year.
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