9 Oct 2006

Samoa's ruling HRPP party boosts number after by-elections

5:12 am on 9 October 2006

Samoa's ruling Human Rights Protection party continues to hold more than two thirds majority of the 49 seat parliament, after winning an additional seat in two by-elections held over the week-end.

The HRPP has regained two seats lost after election petition court rulings last month and one seat held by the Opposition for over fifteen years in Aleipata Itupa i lalo constituency, which gives the ruling party 36 seats in parliament.

The preliminary results for the last two by-elections indicate a police superintendent Vui Tupe Ioane, topped the polls in Fa'asalele'aga number four constituency with 333 votes.

But despite the winning candidate supporting the HRPP, he got the full backing of Samoa party leader, Su'a Rimoni Ah Chong, during last Friday's election.

The runner up who polled 298 votes was supported by the former MP and Minister of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mulitalo Siafausa Vui.

In Aleipata Itupa i lalo, another HRPP candidate, Muagututi'a Siaosi Meredith, has topped the polls with 519 votes.

The seat for the constituency was held by former Opposition MP, Paepae Kapeli Su'a, who was found guilty of bribery and treating.

The Samoa Democratic United party did not have any candidates because of the controversy surrounding the party which resulted to the resignation of its former leader and a senior MP as members of SDUP caucus.