It remains to be seen if a legal challenge will be filed over the selection of the new Senator for Tuala-tai District.
The County Chief of Tuala-tai, Maiavatele Vaigafi had submitted certification of Sii Noaese Taeatafa to take up the Senate seat, however, chefs of Vailoa and current Senator Tuiasina Salamo Laumoli have written to the Secretary of Samoan Affairs stating that the county chief acted on his own and chiefs of Vailoa were not part of any meeting at which Sii was selected.
Tuiasina is currently off-island and could not be reached regarding if he will file a petition in court challenging the decision.
For now, the Senate is honoring the selection of Sii Noaese Tafatafa.
There have been no other disputes raised over the selection of senators from other districts.
Following is the full list of senators:
Manu’a District #1: Ma’o Faauma Gogo and Tuialuuluu Vaimili Tuialuuluu
Manua District #2: Misaalefua Hudson
District #3 Vaifanua: Gaoteote Palaie Tofau
District #4 Saole: Utu Sila Poasa
District #5 Sua: Togiola Tulafono and Muagututia Tauoa
District #6 Maoputasi: Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, Fano Frank Shimasaki, and Ponausuia Faleono
District #7 Ituau: Alo Paul Stevenson and Levu Sa Iosia Jr.
District #8 Tuala-uta: Magalei Logovii and Tuanaitau Malaki Togiola
District #9 Leasina: Atualevao Asifoa
District #10 Tuala-tai: Sii Noaese Taeatafa
District #11 Fofo: Olo Uluao Letuli
District #12 Alataua: Noa F Vae
Seven senators will not be returning in the new Legislature: Poumele Pete Poumele, who has been selected as the new District Governor of Manu’a; Lualemaga Sofeni, who replaced Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga; Satele Lili’o; Fonoti Tafaifa; Soliai Tuipine; Uti Petelo and Ponemafua Tapeni.
