23 Jun 2009

Tautua Samoa lawyer wants Electoral Commissioner join court bid

3:11 pm on 23 June 2009

The lawyer acting for the Tautua Samoa party, Rosella Papalii, has asked the court for the Electoral Commissioner, Tanuvasa Isitolo Lemisio, to be involved as a party to the case.

This is part of the Tautua Samoa party's bid to seek a court injunction against the parliamentary speaker's ruling that declared tthe nine seats of the Tautua Samoa party vacant because of breach of the standing orders.

The matter was heard for mention before the Chief Justice, Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu.

The lawyer acting for the speaker, Maiava Visekota Peteru, says the matter will be heard again tomorrow after an amendment to the plaintiff's legal action has been filed this afternoon.

The Tautua Samoa party is also filing a suit of five million US dollars in damages against the speaker, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Office has announced the closure of the electoral rolls for the nine constituencies affected by the speaker's ruling.