11 Sep 2006

Six candidates for Samoa's first by-election after election petitions

6:17 am on 11 September 2006

Samoa's Electoral Commissioner, Tanuvasa Isitolo Lemisio, has accepted six candidates for the first of three by-elections to be held soon as a result of election petition cases last month.

The first six candidates was announced over the week-end for Fa'asalele'aga number two constituency by-election on September 22nd.

Four of the candidates will be competing for the ruling Human Rights Protection party which includes two women.

One of them is the daughter of former HRPP MP, Pa'u Sefo Pa'u, who was found guilty of bribery and treating in a court ruling in July.

For the divided Samoa Democratic United party, an inside source says SDUP has only one candidate.

But because of the turmoil surrounding the party over the leadership issue it's likely their candidate will either run as an independent or support the ruling party.

Meanwhile the two other by-elections for Aleipata itupa i lalo and Fa'asalele'aga number four constituencies will be held on the 6th of next month.