25 Sep 2006

Daughter of former Samoa HRPP MP wins by-election

10:41 am on 25 September 2006

A young Samoan woman MP has entered politics after winning the Fa'asalele'aga number two constituency by-election.

Letoa Rita Pa'u Chang, the daughter of the former MP who was found guilty of bribery and treating in an election court ruling last month has topped the polls with 538 votes.

Letoa was one of the six candidates contested for the constituency's one seat in parliament which became vacant when the court declared void her father's five year term in politics.

The young, first time MP was competing against some of the prominent chiefs and orators of the constituency such as the former speaker of parliament, Namulau'ulu Vavae Tuilagi, who came fourth with only 112 votes.

The other prominent chief was Papali'i Samuelu Petaia, who is a medical doctor who came second with 527 votes, and another woman candidate, Namulau'ulu Netina, who only polled 83 votes.

The Electoral office will tomorrow conduct the final counts of all votes before the Electoral Commissioner announces the final results.