18 Apr 2006

Samoa recount gives HRPP 36 seats

3:51 am on 18 April 2006

A recount of votes in Samoa has broken a tied outcome in last month's poll in the constituency of Faasaleleaga number 3.

Unasa Mesi of the Human Rights Protection Party has now secured the seat by a margin of four votes.

Unasa Mesi defeated the only challenger a candidate of the opposition Samoa Democratic United Party, Tofa Eteuati Siitia.

In the first count, the two were tied with 356 votes each.

The recount now gives the HRPP 36 of parliament's 49 seats.