Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is officially a candidate for the general elections of April 9, 2021.
Samoa Observer reports two matai from his electoral constituency of Lepā, Auelua Samuelu Enari and Tuilaepa Eti Fa’aolotoi, formally nominated the longest serving MP (Member of Parliament) Monday at the Office of the Electoral Commissioner.
Tuilaepa has been in Parliament since 1981 when he won a by-election after the death of then incumbent MP for his constituency.
He will be challenged at next year’s general elections by a candidate fielded by the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party.
Meanwhile, his former deputy PM, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, has registered as an independent candidate for her electoral constituency of Lotofaga.
Newsline Samoa reports that this will allow her to end the current term as a sitting MP, something she would not have been able to do if she registered under a new political party.
“I decided to register as an Independent for the major reason to protect my constituency’s seat and for me to continue to serve as my constituency’s voice in Parliament until the end of the Parliamentary term,” said Fiame in a press statement.
She reaffirmed her decision to resign from Cabinet in protest over the three Constitutional Amendment Bills and her fears the legislation would undermine the rule of law and of the “serious consequences for us all”.
“It is my wish to make a meaningful contribution when the 3 Bills are debated in Parliament for the final third readings and until Parliament is dissolved in January 2021.”
Two other current members, independents Olo Fiti Va’ai and Faumuina Wayng Fong, who have registered under the FAST Party umbrella, will not be allowed back in chambers to finish their current term.
This effectively leaves their constituencies without a voice in the House until after the April 2021 general elections.
