With votes of just one remaining district to be counted, there are no changes in the results of Samoa’s general elections.
Today the ballots for the remaining 11 constituencies for Savaii were recounted and all those who were declared winners after Friday’s voting have retained their victories.
In terms of party votes, crucial for when a new government is voted by Parliament, there are 25 seats for the ruling Human Rights Protection Party and 25 for the Faatuatua ile Atua ua Tasi (FAST) party, and one independent seat.
There was a close race after special votes were counted today. HRPP incumbent Toomata Aki Tuipea lost by 13 votes in Friday’s voting. After today’s count, the margin was narrowed down to six.
FAST Party co-founder Olo Fiti Vaai also retained his lead, and all the results from Friday in the other 9 districts counted so far were affirmed.
It now looks certain that the deciding vote will belong to Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio who is believed to be in discussions with his constituency to decide where he will cast his vote.
This evening Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatua Mathew Lemisio will present the results to the Head of State who will then declare the results official by issuing warrants of election for each of the 51 districts.
The official results will then be released officially by the Office of the Electoral Commission.
If there is a clear winner then Parliament will be called no later than April 26, 2021 to swear in the new Parliament of Samoa.
