By Staff Writer
All matters scheduled for hearings in the Supreme Court are adjourned starting next week to concentrate on candidates’ election nomination petitions.
The urgent scheduling is to free up justices of the court to complete all petition hearings within the 20 working days allowed under the law.
“Sittings of the Supreme Court are set to continue for the next three weeks with two judges on the bench for each hearing,” Ministry of Justice CEO Moliei Simi Vaai explained.
Court sittings started on Monday to begin the judiciary process with all the 20 petitions brought up for first mention.
“This first week will give all candidates and their legal teams time to go over the necessary preparations before the court sits on the hearings.”
The Electoral Commissioner is being challenged in most of the petitions by candidates whose nominations by their respective Electoral Constituencies were rejected.
Others are filing court motions to disqualify candidates whose nominations were accepted.
Included among them is a petition by the Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti for his election rival, Fiu Gasologa Tavita Foloki to be disqualified.
MP Tuifa’asisina Misa Lisati, has filed three separate petitions for candidates nominated in his Electoral Constituency of Palauli No. 3
The MP is challenging the Electoral Commissioner in two of the petitions that included one against his brother who is running against. His third petition is to disqualify a separate candidate.
Woman MP Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tu’uau is challenging the Electoral Commissioner for one of the candidates whose nomination was allowed in her constituency.
The nomination of a candidate who is running against the Prime Minister from the Lepa electoral constituency is being challenged by a member of the village.
Petitions are also being filed against the Minister of Education Loau Keneti Sio and veteran MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi who were both nominated unopposed.
Electoral Challenges Mention List – Supreme Court – 02 Nov. 2020
| Parties | Counsel | Type | Outcome | |||
| Fata Ryan Schuster v Attorney General for and on behalf og the Electoral Commissioner | T Malifa | Judicial Review | ||||
| Sili Epa Tuioti v Electoral Commissioner and Fiu Gasologa Tavita Foloki | P Fepuleai | Order to disqualify the second respondents as a candidate | ||||
| Faletagoai Tausaga v Attorney General for and on behalf of the Electoral Commission and Tuula Kiliri Lafi Tuitui | M Leung Wai | Order to disqualify a candidate for the general election 2021 | ||||
| Fata Meafou v Attorney General sued for and on behalf of Electoral Commissioner, Taliaoa Viliamu and Puna Kelekolio | H Schuster | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau v Office of the Electoral Commission | T Leavai | Challenging the nomination of a candidate | ||||
| To’i Ioane Ilalio v To’i Ioane Tautuave and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Electoral Commissioner | I Sapolu | Order to disqualify a candidate | ||||
| Tevaga Tupuivao Mapusaga and Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio v Electoral Commissioner | S Ponifasio | Order to disqualify a candidate | ||||
| Leoa Tauti Kalepo Faaleolea and Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio v Electoral Commissioner | S Ponifasio | Order to disqualify a candidate | ||||
| Leiataualesa Faaui ll Niuapu I v Electoral Commission, Sianifoa Vaimoana Sooaemalelagi and Attorney General on behalf of Electoral Commission | F Tufuga | Order to disqualify a candidate | ||||
| Tuifaasisina Misa Lisati, Electoral Commissioner and Mataafa Faavae | A.Su’a | Order to disqualify a candidate | ||||
| Paloa Louis James Stowers v Attorney General, Electoral Commissioner and Toi Sakalia Taituave | P.Chang | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Vui Seigafolava Sione Masinamua v Attorney General for and on behalf of the Electoral Commission | P.Chang | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Papalii Tavita Moala v Attorney General for and on behalf of the Electoral Commission and Commissioner and Fetaiai Vaauli | M.Lui | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Tuifaasisina Misa Lisati v Electoral Commissioner and Mataafa Faavae | A Sua | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Fuatimau Maumea Leniu v Attorney General on behalf of the Electoral Commissioner and Magailefua Maposua Tuiafiso Gafoaleata Faitua | L Su’a Mailo | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| I’a Sau Toeupu Kaisara v Attorney General and Electoral Commissioner | L Su’a Mailo | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Talafai Toma Amosa v Attorney General and Electoral Commissioner | L Su’a Mailo | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Mulipola Leiataua Laki Misikei v Attorney General and Electoral Commissioner | L Su’a Mailo | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Leumuava Asalemo Tuimauga v Electoral Commissioner | U.Fuimaono | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner | ||||
| Tuifaasisina Misa Lisati v Electoral Commissioner and Aiolupotea Toni | U.Fuimaono | Challeging a decision of the Electoral Commissioner |
Total Cases = 20