16 Aug 2014

Only woman candidate in Samoa by-election wins seat

11:22 am on 16 August 2014

A preliminary count in Samoa's Gagaifomauga by-election has the only woman candidate, Faimalotoa Kika Iemaima Stowers, topping the polls with 268 votes.

There was a big turnout was recorded in yesterday's by-election, with 989 votes cast.

The preliminary result winner is a former broadcaster of many years, who was also the Director of Broadcasting.

She is the first woman to have won a parliamentary seat for the Gagaifomauga number one seat in Parliament.

The Tautua Samoa party candidate, Lavea Peseta Lua Nafo'i, has polled 101 votes and came fifth in the race.

The official result of the by-election will be announced on Monday after the official count.

One of the polling booths in the Gagaifomauga by-election in Apia, the Maota o Pulenuu.

One of the polling booths in the Gagaifomauga by-election in Apia, the Maota o Pulenuu. Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia