4 Mar 2011

Campaigning winding down for Samoa elections

3:16 pm on 4 March 2011

Heading into tomorrow's election in Samoa, the opposition Tautua Samoa party is calling people to vote with their conscience.

The party is standing 42 candidates in 39 of the country's 41 electorates.

Its president, Va'aelua Ete Alesana, says people should look at what has happened in the country in the past five years.

"People, sadly, have been voting because what the HRPP has offered them. You know, I can honestly say that tonight will be a big night for people who accept money."

The ruling HRPP is predicting it will again win an overwhelming majority.

The HRPP has been in power for almost 30 years and is standing more than one candidate in many electorates.

The party's leader, and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, says people like what his government has done, so will re-elect it.

We are anticipating that we should get at least 40 out of 49. I have been asked the same question in 2006, and I said we would get 35, and we did get 35.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.