Click here for the entire ruling by the Samoa Suoreme Court in the following case.
FAST-Party-Anor-v-Electoral-Commissioner-Anor-Decision
The Supreme Court of Samoa has ruled that the Election Commissioner’s decision to appoint HRPP member of Parliament Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau was unconstitutional.
The decision delivered at 12 noon today by Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai is a victory for the political party, Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party.
FAST had asked the Supreme Court to determine if the Office of the Election Commission had correctly interpreted the law which provides that 10% of seats in the Samoa Parliament should be held by women.
The justices voided the appointment of Aliimalemanu to the 17th Parliament of Samoa.
So FAST now holds 26 seats and HRPP 25 seats.
A second ruling due to be delivered at 3 pm today is whether the Head of State has the power to order new elections.
We will post the written ruling as soon as it is released.
