The Supreme Court of Samoa has dismissed a motion seeking to stop preparations for by-elections in nine electoral seats.
The Tautua Samoa party had sought an injunction to stop the Samoa Electoral Commissioner's office preparing for by-elections in the nine seats declared vacant by Parliament's Speaker.
The Speaker, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei'ataua, had ruled the MPs forfeited their seats by starting a new political party during the parliamentary term.
The Chief Justice, Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu, says the matter can be revisited when a motion for an injunction against the Speaker is heard next week.
The registration of voters for the nine constituencies affected in the ruling, as well as the closing of electoral rolls next month, has already been announced by the Electoral Commissioner's office.
