A former opposition MP in Samoa and high ranking orator has won the parliamentary by-election for Faleata east constituency.
The winning candidate has now joined the ruling Human Rights Protection Party.
Patau'ave Etuale was unanimously supported by the village council to take over the parliamentary seat without going to the polls, following the death of the late MP, Manuleleua Lalagofa'atasi.
Another matai of his village, who is the chief executive officer for the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Aveau Nikotemo Palamo, had challenged the one candidate decision by also running.
They were the only two candidates during the by-election and Aveau was the runner up with 470 votes to 615 by the winner.
Meanwhile a source says the village council of Vaimoso will call a meeting sometime this week to decide the fate of Aveau and his family for opposing the one candidate decision.
