17 Jan 2011

Samoa's Tuilaepa predicts crushing HRPP election victory

7:19 am on 17 January 2011

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi predicts that his ruling Human Rights Protection Party will be returned to power with 40 of the

49 parliamentary seats.

Samoa goes to the polls on March the 4th.

Tuilaepa has told the Samoa Observer, the party's analysis shows that they will win the elections with 40 seats.

Tuilaepa said the HRPP candidates for the general elections are very experienced and strong, inclusive of the incumbents.

The leader of the rival Tautua Samoa Party, Va'ai Papu Vailupe, has refused to counter the Prime Minister's prediction.

The PM had praised the caliber of the Tautua Party candidates when they were announced last week.

However, he expressed disappointment with the manner and vetting the Tautua Party used when announcing its candidates.