26 Jan 2011

Samoa's parliament dissolves ahead of March's elections

4:12 pm on 26 January 2011

Samoa's parliament has dissolved ahead of the country's general election in March.

Our correspondent Autagavaia Tipi Autagavia says the house's last sitting went until after midnight last night.

"The head of state delivered an address thanking the Government for a well done job in the five year term. The supplementary budget was also debated, but not so much of the supplementary budget, but mostly it was thanking their constituents and also asking the voters and electors for another five year term in the upcoming general election."

Autagavaia Tipi Autagavia.

Three MPs, Hans Joachim Keil, deputy Prime Minister, Misa Telefoni, and Muagututi'a George Meredith have announced they're retiring from politics and will not contest the poll.

The election will be held on March the fourth.