10 May 2006

Samoa MP asks court to strike out election petition

9:49 am on 10 May 2006

In Samoa a Human Rights Protection Party MP has filed a motion in court to strike out an election petition against him , saying it has not been submitted correctly.

The MP, Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo, says his action is due to the no-publication in local newspapers of the written petition.

He says the case was was also filed more than seven days after the Electoral Commissioner notified the results of the poll.

The petitioner and and long time former parliamentary speaker, Leota Leulua' ialii Itu Ale, was defeated in last month's election.

He is accusing Fonotoe, the former secretary of the Justice department, of corrupt practices as well as bribery and treating.