By Staff Writer
The Supreme Court ruling allowing for 3 eligible seats in Parliament under the 10% threshold for women members, became the main political talking point of the week just ended.
The big surprise is what started off as 2 eligible seats for women turned into 3 when the court ruled to add a third seat for them.
FAST Government election candidate for Anoama’a 2, To’omata Nora Leota, became the surprise choice.
To’omata was contesting in court the second of the two seats for women, with claims she had more votes.
Opposition HRPP candidates, Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tu’uau of Alataua i Sisifo and Fagaesealii Sapoa Feagiai of Aleipata Itupa-i-Lalo, were already the selected women candidates.
They were only in court to challenge the refusal by the Speaker to swear them in based on the legal claim by To’omata to one of the seats.
The additional seat left the HRPP deputy leader Fonotoe Lauofo Meti and general secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi in ‘another court ruling with a tail’ ending spin, to add to earlier ones on record on separate issues.
“The law giving special seats to encourage more women was ours (HRPP) with the understanding they were for 2 seats, to make up the 10 % threshold, but with the court ruling it now stands at 3,” Fonotoe reacted to the verdict.
“We’ll have to look at the ruling and take legal advise on where we can go from here.”
Secretary Lealailepule was quick to add that the issue is not about having more women in Parliament, which they welcome.
“The more women seats in Parliament the merrier for us but it must be done in a fair and rightful manner,” he contested.
The Faleata MP questioned the court ruling that To’omata was allowed the third seat as replacement for Falealupo MP Leota Tima Leavai-Peteru, who resigned.
A by-election was called for the electoral constituency and male candidate, Fuiono Tenina, won the seat.
Lealailepule argued that the new MP Fuiono is supposed to replace former Falealupo woman MP.
“If this court ruling is going to set the precedent, does that mean the same process will follow everytime a woman member like the Prime Minister resigns or vacate the seat.
“If a male candidate wins the by-election for the seat will another woman MP be required to replace the PM as in the Leota Tima case cited by the court ruling?”
The added seat for To’omata left a sour twist to the celebrations at the HRPP Maota o Petesa headquarters for their two women MPs Ali’imalemanu and Fagaesealii.
It has been a long frustrating wait for the pair to have their seats confirmed.
“I’m very happy for Ali’imalemanu who has been dragged along all this time from last year in April and all the other court hearings she had to sit through to get to where she is now,” Fonotoe acknowledged.
The deputy leader felt for the two women MPs for the wave of criticisms and mockery from Government supporters about being there to fill in the empty gaps in Parliament.
Lealailepule believed the special seats for women would have been resolved from the start if Ali’imalemanu was sworn in at the beginning as they had insisted all along.
Fonotoe is sceptical about what may still be ahead with the court ruling leaving the door open to more uncertainties.
“We started off with 6 special seats to make up the 10 per cent threshold for women in Parliament and now it’s up to 7 seats.”
The court ruling has once again justified the initial interpretation by the former Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio for an additional seat for women under the 10 per cent threshold.
The Appeals Court upheld his legal argument when first challenged by the FAST party.
The Supreme Court ruling last week legally re-affirms it for the second time on a second challenge.