The Council of Deputies (Samoan: Sui O Le Fono a Sui Tofia) is a constitutional body in Samoa. Its members serve as Deputy O le Ao o le Malo and act as head of state when the office of O le Ao o le Malo is vacant or when the incumbent is unable to fulfill their duties due to absence or incapacitation.
The Council was established by the constitution at independence on 1 January 1962. It consists of between one and three members, who are elected by the Legislative Assembly.[1] If there are no members, the Chief Justice acts in their place.[1] Elections to the Council are required to take place as soon as possible after a new O le Ao o le Malo is elected.[1]
Members
edit- Tuiaana Tuimalealiʻifano Suatipatipa II (1962–1974)
- Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV (1968–1970, 1976–1983)[2][3]
- Mataʻafa Puela Faʻasuamaleaui Patu
- Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II (1993–2001, 2004–2017)
- Faumuina Anapapa (2002–2006)[4]
- Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi (2004–2007)
- Tuiloma Pule Lameko (2016–2018)[5][6]
- Le Mamea Ropati (2016–present)[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Constitution of Samoa Constitute Project
- ^ Brij Lal & Kate Fortune (2000) The Pacific Islands: An Encyclopedia, Volume 1 p286
- ^ Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV Pacific Islands Monthly, 1 September 1983
- ^ State funeral in Samoa for the late Member of the Council of Deputies Radio New Zealand, 16 June 2006
- ^ a b Samoa has two new members of the council of deputies Radio New Zealand, 28 January 2016
- ^ A member of Samoa's Council of Deputies dies Radio New Zealand, 3 April 2018