A new twist has emerged from the Supreme Court in the hearing of an election petition against election night winner for Sagaga 4 electoral constituency.
Tuisa Tasi Patea, a Human Rights Protection Party candidate, had been accused by unsuccessful candidate for Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi, Tagaloatele Poloa of treating and bribery.
Tuisa in return had filed a counter petition against Tagaloatele also alleging treating and bribery.
Samoa Observer reports both candidates have agreed to withdraw their legal challenges against each other, and Tuisa will resign his seat allowing for a by-election for the electoral constituency.
This is the first time this has happened in the history of electoral petitions.
If both parties had continued with the case and were found guilty, they would not be eligible to run again for 10 years.
This agreement allows them to run against each other in the by-election.
Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese, sitting with Justice Fepulea’I Ameperosa Roma, accepted the agreement and ordered them to advertise their intentions to withdraw their petitions.
With Tuisa’s resignation, HRPP would be down to 23 seats while FAST retains 26 seats.
Photo: Samoa Global News
