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2011 Samoan general election

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2011 Samoan general election
← 2006 4 March 2011 2016 ⊟
All 49 seats in the Legislative Assembly
25 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party
 
Tautua
Leader Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi Vaʻai Papu Vailupe
Party HRPP TSP
Last election 50.20%, 33 seats –
Seats won 29 13
Seat change Decrease 4 New
Popular vote 48,771 21,692
Percentage 55.56% 24.71%
Swing Increase 5.36 pp New
Results by constituency
Prime Minister before election

Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi
HRPP

Subsequent Prime Minister

Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi
HRPP

Politics of Samoa
Constitution
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

General elections were held in Samoa on 4 March 2011, to determine the composition of the 15th Parliament. Two parties contested the election, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), which had been in power for most of the time since 1982, led by Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi and the newly founded Tautua Samoa Party (TSP) led by Vaʻai Papu Vailupe, which several minor parties had merged into. The election occurred following amendments to the electoral act in 2009, including the introduction of the Monotoga law, a requirement for aspiring candidates to dedicate traditional village service and commitments. As a result, three TSP aspiring candidates, including a challenger for the prime minister's seat, were disqualified by the Supreme Court for failing to satisfy this law.

The HRPP won re-election with a simple majority of 29 seats, while three cabinet ministers were unseated. The TSP secured 13 seats and independents won seven. Only two of the seven female candidates were successful. Following the election, all the independents joined the HRPP, handing the party a two-thirds majority with 36 seats. Several successful candidates were later stripped of their seats by the Supreme Court due to electoral petitions, which included the TSP leader. As a result, the TSP replaced Vaʻai Papu Vailupe with deputy leader Palusalue Faʻapo II.

Background

[edit]

During the previous general election held in 2006, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party won a landslide victory, winning 33 seats. The opposition Samoan Democratic United Party (SDUP) secured ten seats, and independents won the remaining six. The SDUP later lost one seat due to an electoral petition.[1][2] Later that year, in August 2006, the SDUP removed its leader Le Mamea Ropati and replaced him with deputy leader Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai.[3] The SDUP then fragmented and led to the departure of two MPs from the party, including Le Mamea Ropati. As a result, the SDUP’s recognition as a parliamentary party ceased because it fell below the eight-seat threshold, and the parliament classified the party's remaining MPs as independents.[4]

On 11 May 2007, long-serving O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II died.[5] Parliament unanimously voted for Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, a member of the council of deputies, former prime minister and son of former co-head of state Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole, to succeed Malietoa.[6]

In September 2009, the government switched the country from right to left-hand driving to enable less costly vehicle imports from Australia and New Zealand. The change was controversial as most vehicles were on the left-hand drive, generating one of the largest protests in Samoan history.[7] The same month, Samoa was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami that claimed the lives of 158 people in the country. The prime minister faced criticism for allegedly mishandling relief funds.[8]

Eleven opposition MPs from the SDUP and independents formed the Tautua Samoa Party in 2008 to provide parliamentary opposition to the HRPP.[9][10] Nine members of parliament subsequently aligned themselves with the new party. However, in 2009, speaker of parliament, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua, declared their seats vacant and ordered by-elections to take place. The speaker argued the TSP members had broken parliamentary protocol by joining a new party during the legislative session. But the Supreme Court later ruled the speaker's decision to be unlawful, cancelling the by-elections and restoring the TSP MPs.[11] The following year, parliament passed an amendment forbidding MPs from changing parties; those who would change their affiliation would have to run in a by-election to retain their seat.[12] After the amendment's passage, only three MPs remained official TSP members and competed in subsequent by-elections; one member successfully retained his seat unopposed, while another secured a narrow win. Former party chair Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi was narrowly defeated by an HRPP member.[13] In September 2010, the Samoa Party merged into the TSP. Feo Nemaia Esau, the Samoa Party's president, said the purpose of the merger was to strengthen the opposition.[14] The TSP initially intended to refrain from electing a party leader until after the election to choose one of the successful parliamentary candidates. However, this prompted Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa to describe the TSP as a "headless monster" and he challenged the party to select a leader before the election.[15] The party subsequently elected Vaʻai Papu Vailupe, son of former prime minister Vaʻai Kolone, as leader in December 2010.[16]

Electoral system

[edit]

During the time of the 2011 election, parliament was composed of 49 members, with all serving a five-year term. Forty-seven members represented forty-one village-based constituencies, of which six of the larger electorates had two MPs, while the rest were single-member constituencies. Two members, elected from a nationwide constituency, represented individual voters, mostly non-ethnic Samoans and individuals with partial Samoan ancestry. Except for the latter, to qualify, candidates were required to hold a matai title, while all were elected using the first-past-the-post voting system. Candidates were also required to have reached the age of 21 and have resided in Samoa for at least three years before the nomination date. In 2009, parliament amended the electoral act to include the monotoga law, a requirement for individuals to dedicate service to their respective villages to qualify as candidates.[17][18] Under the monotoga law, a requirement for parliamentary hopefuls to qualify as candidates was for their village mayors to approve their nomination.[19]

Voters

[edit]

Universal suffrage was introduced in 1991, permitting all Samoan citizens over the age of 21 to vote in person. Voting registration usually closes six months before a general election and re-opens immediately after. Voters could elect to enrol in a constituency rather than the one where they reside by right of significant family ties or matai titles. As a result, the population of constituencies and the constituency's voter roll have not always correlated.[20] Voters residing in Apia that were registered to vote in constituencies outside the capital but were unable to travel to their electoral districts on election day were permitted to cast a special vote at designated polling stations.[21]

Eastern Samoans

[edit]

Before the election, the electoral commissioner of American Samoa announced that American Samoans who cast ballots in elections held in the Independent State of Samoa would subsequently be ineligible to vote in their own country. Under United States electoral laws, voters can lose their right to vote if they cast a ballot in another country's election.[22]

Schedule

[edit]

Prime Minister Tuila‘epa announced the election date on 5 October 2010.[23] The 14th Parliament was dissolved on 27 January 2011,[8] while candidates could register from 18 to 25 February. The campaign season ended on 3 March, and the mandatory removal of campaign material from public areas occurred. Election Day and the day prior were declared public holidays by the government to allow voters to travel to their electoral districts if need be. The return of the writ occurred on 21 March.[24]

Date Event
4 November 2010 Registration for voters closes
27 January 2011 The 14th Parliament is dissolved
18 February 2011 Nomination for candidates opens
25 February 2011 Candidate registration and withdrawal deadline
3 March 2011 Conclusion of campaigning, mandatory removal of campaign material from public areas
4 March 2011 Election Day
7 March 2011 Special votes are counted
8–14 March 2011 Official count
21 March 2011 Official results are announced and the writs are returned

Parties and candidates

[edit]

A total of 159 candidates competed in the election, and two parties contested; the ruling HRPP, led by prime minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi, and the TSP, led by Vaʻai Papu Vailupe. Of the HRPP candidates nominated, 79 contested, while there were 40 TSP and Independent candidates each.[8] Seven contenders were women, down from 19 in the 2006 election. As four constituencies consisted solely of HRPP candidates, while two had members of the ruling party running unopposed, the HRPP was guaranteed six seats.[25]

Party Leader Candidates Founded 2006 seats
Human Rights Protection Party Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi 79 1979
33 / 49
Tautua Samoa Party Vaʻai Papu Vailupe 40 2008 —
Independents — 40 —
6 / 49

Disqualified candidates

[edit]

Several parliamentary hopefuls either withdrew or had their candidacy revoked. In December 2010, veteran politician Tuilagi Motutoa Vavae Leo II, a former deputy speaker and HRPP candidate, was convicted by the Supreme Court of attempted sexual assault, terminating his campaign.[26]

A month before the election, the electoral commissioner disqualified three TSP candidates. The mayors in their respective villages had refused to sign their nomination forms due to their supposed failure to satisfy the monotoga law.[27] One of the rejects, Tu‘ula Tuitui of the Saleapaga village, who was vying for the prime minister's seat, stated he had provided proof to the mayor that he had worked for the village in various ways, notably by taking part in recovery work after the 2009 earthquake and tsunami. Tu‘ula also claimed that chiefs and orators of Saleapaga had repeatedly requested he not run against the prime minister.[28] The three TSP rejects unsuccessfully challenged their disqualifications in court.[29] TSP founder Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi criticised the disqualifications and emphasised how no HRPP candidates were affected. However, he also highlighted that the TSP declined to have any candidates from the ruling party disqualified, expressing, "we believe that anybody can run, [and] exercise their right to compete in the election."[19]

Public servants

[edit]

Shortly before the poll, a cabinet directive ordered public servants running for Parliament to resign in contravention of Samoa's electoral act, which permits public servants to take special leave to contest elections.[30] The TSP denounced the order as unconstitutional.[31]

Campaign

[edit]

The Human Rights Protection Party, which had governed Samoa for most of the time since 1982,[32][33] promised to focus on health, education, agriculture, infrastructural development, the development of renewable energy, and a pledge to "turn Samoa into the sports hub of the Pacific". In a speech on 22 February, the Prime Minister emphasised the party's maturity and experience in government. He promised continuity in policies and drew attention to what he described as the government's major achievements in recent years: the election of the head of state; the development of infrastructure; economic growth, and the development of businesses and the private sector; a well-managed budget; the hosting of the 2007 South Pacific Games; the switching from right- to left-hand driving throughout the country and the government's response to the 2009 earthquake and tsunami. For the future, the prime minister announced a broad range of policies to improve Samoans' health, including an increase in the number of locally trained medical staff, an increase in the number of hospitals, a policy of compulsory twice-a-year testing of all Samoans to detect cancer in advance, and the promotion of organic farming, along with a "bonus scheme" to reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides in agriculture, to facilitate healthier diets. He stated that these promises could all be realistically financed and concluded: "Your one vote can set the direction of Samoa for the next five years. It’s very important who you choose because you could benefit or you will bring a curse on you and your family for the next five years. So vote for the HRPP and be blessed".[34] Tuilaʻepa predicted that the HRPP would win 40 seats.[35] Days before the election, the prime minister promised to step down at the next election if his party remained in government.[36]

The Tautua Samoa Party promised to focus on lowering the cost of living and halting the government's Casino and Gambling Bill, which would legalise casino gaming in the country. The Value Added Goods and Services Tax would be abolished; pensions would be raised for the elderly; children below the age of 12 would receive free health care. The party also promised to "encourage farming and develop agriculture", "lower the cost of electricity and other utilities", " develop education and health services through the raising of salaries and enforcing compulsory education", and promote the development of the private sector. Asked how these promises would be funded, particularly considering the promised abolition of VAGST, the party's deputy leader, Palusalue Faʻapo II, stated that "God will provide for us" and that the party would seek additional international aid. He added that the HRPP government had "wasted millions on unnecessary developments such as the new buildings towering over everything in Apia" and that under a TSP government, all public spending would be transparent and accountable.[37]

Conduct

[edit]

The TSP accused the HRPP of engaging in the practice of vote buying and treating, especially on the day before the election. The prime minister dismissed these allegations and claimed that it was Samoan tradition. He also said that gift-giving was no different to politicians in other nations financing their campaigns.[38]

A total of 300 police officers were present to safeguard the electoral process. In the lead-up to the election, the Samoan police force conducted regular safety briefings, despite the lack of imminent threats.[39] Campaigning ceased at midnight on 3 March;[40] on election day, polling stations closed at 3 pm local time, although other stations, including special polling booths, remained open past that time. Individuals who had not voted but had been waiting in line at stations that closed at 3 pm were allowed to cast their ballots.[39] There were no reports of violence, and a liquor ban was in place during the election.[36] The Pacific Islands Forum, which sent a delegation to observe the electoral process, declared the election free, fair and peaceful.[39]

Results

[edit]

Final results showed the HRPP retained its majority, winning 29 seats, while the TSP secured 13 and independents won seven. Around 90% of registered voters participated in the election. Three cabinet ministers, such as justice minister Unasa Mesi Galo, lost re-election. Only two female candidates, including Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, were elected.[41][42] Two candidates were elected unopposed, one of whom was the prime minister.[43]

PartyVotes%Seats /–
Human Rights Protection Party48,77155.5629–4
Tautua Samoa Party21,69224.7113New
Independents17,31119.727 1
Total87,774100.00490
Source: Election Passport

By constituency

[edit]
Constituency Turnout Political party Candidate Votes %
A'ana Alofi 2 1,133 HRPP Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua 617 54.5
Independent Tanuvasa Muao Seiuli 270 23.8
TSP Lemana Ale Logo 246 21.7
A'ana Alofi 3 2,001 TSP Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster 1,038 51.9
HRPP Vaeolenofoafia Tapasu 411 20.5
Independent Manu Taialofa Naseri 252 12.6
Independent Tapusoa M. Tuigamala 163 8.1
TSP Tagoiaega Maotua Levi 137 6.8
Aiga i le tai 2,394 HRPP Ifopo Matia Filisi 879 36.7
HRPP Mulipola Oliva 732 30.6
HRPP Sau Siaosi Natapu 487 20.3
HRPP Leiataualesa Iosefo Faauileula II 225 9.4
HRPP Taimalelagi Naotala 71 3.0
Alataua West 824 HRPP Lafaitele Patrick Leiataualesa 514 62.4
TSP Tuaiaufai Eliko 170 20.6
Independent Tuioti Ali'imalemanu Sakaria 140 17.0
Aleipata Itupa I Lalo 1,818 HRPP Tafua Maluelue Tafua 882 48.5
HRPP Paepae Kapeli Sua 477 26.2
TSP Letiu Tamatoa Penaia 261 14.4
HRPP Faagasealii Sapoa Feagiai 198 10.9
Aleipata Itupa I Luga 1,780 HRPP Taua Kitiona Seuala 1,009 56.7
Independent Fuataga Kasimani 771 43.3
Anoama'a East 1,871 Independent Alaiasa Filipo Schwarts Hunt 1,094 58.5
HRPP Moefaauo Lufilufi 592 31.6
Independent Gagaeolo Manase Reupena 127 6.8
TSP Tofae Alailima 58 3.1
Fa'asalele'aga 2 1,763 TSP Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau 950 53.9
Independent Maileimalo Eneliko Pau 496 28.1
HRPP Papali'i Mamea Petaia 317 18.0
Fa'asalele'aga 3 1,337 TSP Tuileutu Alava'a Voi 678 50.7
HRPP Unasa Mesi Galo 437 32.7
Independent Ioelu Sua 222 16.6
Fa'asalele'aga 4 1,400 Independent Peseta Vaifou Tevaga 597 42.6
TSP Sua Vui-Seinafolava Rimoni Ah Chung 311 22.2
Independent Mulitalo Siafausi Vui 242 17.6
HRPP Vui Ta'ala Tupe Ioane 242 17.6
Falealupo 1,049 TSP A'eau Peniamina 572 54.5
HRPP Seumanutafa Akerei Salesa 283 27.0
HRPP Aeau Niulesa Mareko 194 18.5
Faleata East 1,740 TSP Aveau Niko Palamo 774 44.5
HRPP Vaitagutu Viliamu Masoe 564 32.4
HRPP Manuleleua Lauese Manuleleua 263 15.1
HRPP Leatinuu Ray Leo II 139 8.0
Faleata West 3,732 TSP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi 2,341 62.7
HRPP Ale Vena Ale 1,391 37.3
Falelatai & Samatau 1,627 HRPP Taefu Lemi 647 39.8
HRPP Taefu Olomoutu Salapu Asalele 494 30.4
HRPP Manoo Kato Kini 486 29.9
Gaga'emauga 1 2,327 HRPP Sala Fata Pinati 1,664 71.5
TSP Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio 663 28.5
Gaga'emauga 2 864 TSP Levaopolo Talatonu Vaai 304 35.2
HRPP Aufai Amalamo 231 26.7
HRPP Aufai Uesile 195 22.6
HRPP Vaaaoao Niupulusu Leo 134 15.5
Gaga'emauga 3 1,406 Independent Faamoetauloa Ulaitino Faale Tumaalii 721 51.3
HRPP Galuvao Viliamu Sepulona 605 43.0
Independent Seuamuli Sapio Tooala 80 5.7
Gaga'ifomauga 1 825 HRPP Tuilo'a Anitelea 504 61.1
Independent Gaiga Aukusitino 321 38.9
Gaga'ifomauga 2 1,985 Independent So’oalo Umi Feo Mene 1,051 53.0
HRPP Safuneitu'uga Pa'aga Neri 409 20.6
Independent Paiaaua Iona Sekuini 213 10.7
TSP Feo Nemaia Esau 195 9.8
Independent Manuta Lavamaile Uesile 117 5.9
Gaga'ifomauga 3 887 HRPP La'auli Leuatea Polataivao 627 70.7
HRPP Faaulusau Simi Laulua 260 29.3
Lefaga & Falese'ela 2,186 HRPP Le Mamea Ropati 1,095 50.1
HRPP Toleafoa Ken Poutoa 1,091 49.9
Lotofaga 641 HRPP Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa 469 73.2
TSP Fiaola Iosua Lole 172 26.8
Palauli East 2,180 HRPP Afoafouvale John Moors 798 36.6
HRPP Misa Lisati Leleisiuao Palemene 781 35.8
HRPP Leavaiseeta Savavau L. Tuipolu 523 24.0
TSP Toluono Feti 59 2.7
TSP Taulafoga Iaulualo Fatufala 19 0.9
Palauli Le Falefa 1,808 HRPP Faumuina Tiatia Liuga 918 50.8
TSP Le Tagaloa Pita 508 28.1
TSP Tiatia Mapesone 382 21.1
Palauli West 1,847 HRPP Agafili Patisela Eteuati Tolovaa 527 28.5
TSP Taua Falaimo 440 23.8
HRPP Afoa Amituanai Mauli 384 20.8
HRPP Amituanai Malalatele Tausisi 256 13.9
HRPP Toilolo Tamala Lolani Toilolo 240 13.0
Sagaga Le Falefa 2,935 Independent Tuisa Tasi Patea 1,178 40.1
HRPP Loau Keneti Sio 1,115 38.0
TSP Ma'aolegalu Peniata Maiava 347 11.8
Independent Muaiava Tino Umu Toeava 295 10.1
Sagaga Le Usoga 2,059 HRPP Muagututagata Peter Ah Him 844 41.0
TSP Fata Meafou 684 33.2
Independent Maulolo Tavita Amosa 531 25.8
Satupa'itea 931 HRPP Tavui Tiafau Tafu Salevao 457 49.1
HRPP Asiata Wairaki Toevai 376 40.4
TSP Aloiamoa Tua Savai'i 98 10.5
Si'umu 1,569 HRPP Tuu'u Anasi'i Leota 867 55.3
Independent Fa'alogo Iosefa 702 44.7
Vaimauga East 2,377 HRPP Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau 1,010 42.5
TSP Tafaese Uili Ioane 573 24.1
TSP Talifeau Malaki Iakopo 427 18.0
Independent Maposua Solomona Toailoa 367 15.4
Va'a O Fonoti 1,894 HRPP Tialavea Tionisio Hunt 774 40.9
HRPP Taito Faitele 663 35.0
HRPP Togiai Eteuati Fai'ilagi 235 12.4
TSP Togia Ioane Sagapolutele 152 8.8
HRPP Tautaiolefua Nomeneta Ofoia 70 3.7
Vaisigano 1 1,657 TSP Vaʻai Papu Vailupe 731 44.1
HRPP Tufuga Gafoaleata Faitua 693 41.8
HRPP Ta'avao Tiaina Tapu 233 14.1
Vaisigano 2 1,261 TSP Motuopuaa Uifagasa Aisoli 659 52.3
HRPP Tapulesatele Mautene 602 47.7
Source: Psephos[43]

Double member constituencies

[edit]
Constituency Turnout Political party Candidate Votes %
A'ana Alofi 1 1,844 Independent Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama 1,275 27.4
HRPP Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi 1,253 26.9
HRPP Aiono Tile Gafa 1,194 25.6
Independent Fesolai Vaisilika Tuigamala 682 14.6
Independent Muliaumaseali'i Sio Va'auli 255 5.5
Falealili 5,351 HRPP Tuiloma Pule Lameko 1,286 24.6
HRPP Tusa Misi Tupuola 1,162 21.7
TSP Fuimaono Gaoia Tei 1,023 19.1
TSP Fuimaono Falefa Lima 670 12.5
HRPP Falaiva Vaiula Sialaoa 660 12.3
HRPP Alaifea Laititi Belford 550 10.3
Fa'asalele'aga 1 4,779 HRPP Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana-Gidlow 817 17.1
Independent Magele Mauiliu Magele 686 14.4
TSP Pauli Pipi Tariu 657 14.4
Independent Tuilimu Manuele Paletasala 458 9.6
HRPP Tiata Sili Pulufana 443 9.3
Independent Leuo Lealiiee Taugauli 413 8.6
Independent Sealiialofa Tupaimatuna Taiese 345 7.2
TSP Fiu Matamua Loimata II 336 7.0
Independent Matamua Sili Alapati 264 5.5
Independent Tofilau Semeli Sinai 241 5.0
Independent Taotua Ioane Matamua 119 2.5
Safata 5,841 TSP Palusalue Faʻapo II 1,323 22.7
HRPP Manualesagalala Enokati Posala 1,293 22.1
HRPP Leaana Ronnie Posini 1,109 19.0
HRPP Leota-Suatele Tufele 748 12.8
TSP Saunoamaalii Finafinau 748 12.8
HRPP Tuia Pua Fuatogi Letoa 620 10.6
Salega 3,449 TSP Afualo Wood Salele 1,020 29.6
TSP Tapuai Toese Ah Sam 880 25.5
HRPP Tapuai Sepulona Moananu 682 19.8
HRPP Toomata Alapati Poese 535 15.5
Independent Selu Letoa Reupena 332 9.6
Vaimauga West 7,234 TSP Lefau Harry Schuster 1,973 27.3
Independent Lenatai Victor Tamapua 1,377 19.0
HRPP Anauli Pofitu Fesili 1,003 13.9
Independent Faaolesa Katopau T. Ainuu 728 10.1
Independent Taumanupepe Keleso 702 9.7
TSP Vaea Ivana Eli 647 8.9
HRPP Patu Ativalu Togi II 612 8.5
Independent Letaa Tanielu Devoe 131 1.8
Independent Sagauga Sabu Utaileuo 61 0.8
Individual voters 5,188 HRPP Papali'itele Niko Lee Hang 1,635 31.5
Independent Maualaivao Pat Ah Him 1,379 26.6
HRPP Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai 897 17.3
TSP Tamaleta Taimang Jensen 770 14.8
TSP Muliagatele Alfred Hunt 462 8.9
Independent Tupa Anthony Stephen Brown 45 0.9
Source: Psephos[43]

Uncontested

[edit]

The following two candidates were elected without opposition:[43]

Constituency Candidate Party
Anoama'a West Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo HRPP
Lepā Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi

Aftermath

[edit]

Following the election, all seven independents joined the HRPP, giving the ruling caucus a two-thirds majority with a total of 36 seats.[8] Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, the member of parliament for Anoama'a West, was elected deputy leader of the HRPP and subsequently became the new deputy prime minister. He succeeded Misa Telefoni Retzlaff, who opted not to seek re-election and retire. Among other new cabinet ministers was Le Mamea Ropati, a former opposition leader who led the Samoan Democratic United Party in the previous election cycle.[44][45]

The Tautua Samoa Party's founder and chief whip, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, expressed confidence that the party would perform well in the next election cycle. He also stressed the importance of party unity and stated, "Five years from now, we should definitely win. This [election] is a good start for us, and we have a good opposition, so we should start our campaign right now, and that's what we are going to do now, is prove to the people and educate them and tell them what Samoa needs, and the next election should be a[n] easy battle for us."[46]

Several members of parliament later lost their seats by order of the Supreme Court due to electoral petitions. Among these individuals were opposition leader Vaʻai Papu Vailupe and the associate minister of natural resources and environment, Taua Kitiona Seuala.[47][48] By-elections subsequently took place in July in the ousted member's constituencies, all were won by HRPP candidates. These results increased the ruling caucus' seat share to 37, whilst the opposition lost a seat, leaving them with 12 members.[49]

Following Vaʻai's ousting, the Tautua Samoa Party elected deputy leader Palusalue Faʻapo II to replace him as leader of the party and the opposition. The party also elected former speaker of parliament, A'eau Peniamina, deputy leader.[50]

The 15th parliamentary session commenced on 18 March 2011.[8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Elections in 2006". IPU. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Polynesia in Review: Samoa" Archived 2011-05-17 at the Wayback Machine, The Contemporary Pacific, 20, Spring 2008, p 244.
  3. ^ "Samoa opposition leader Ropati dumped". RNZ. 31 August 2006. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Samoa Democratic United Party MPs become Independent MPs". RNZ. 15 November 2006. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  5. ^ Sagapolutele, Fili (12 May 2007). "Samoan Head of State Passes Away". Pacific Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Samoa to Swear in new Head of State tomorrow afternoon". RNZ. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Samoa Provokes fury by switching sides of the road". The Telegraph. 3 July 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Election in 2011". IPU. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  9. ^ Alan Ah Mu (17 December 2008). "Tautua Samoa officially launched". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  10. ^ Aigaletaulele’a F. Tauafiafi (22 September 2010). "Tautua on the move". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  11. ^ "Samoa court reinstates nine MPs, cancels by-elections". RNZ. 2 July 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  12. ^ "By-elections to be called in Samoa following new amendments". RNZ. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Former Tautua Samoa chairman disappointed at by-election defeat". RNZ. 17 May 2010. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Samoa Party disbands to join Tautua Samoa". RNZ. 27 September 2010. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Tautua Samoa party accepts leadership challenge before 2011 election". RNZ. 6 December 2010. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Va'ai Papu chosen as Tautua Samoa leader". RNZ. 22 December 2010. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Electoral System". IPU. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
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