By Martha Taumata Fa’avae
The ruling Human Rights Protection Party gathered today, Friday 9 October 2020, at Peseta Headquarters to marshal its large army of candidates in readiness for the April 2021 General Elections.
About two thirds of all the candidates turned up while among those missing were a few who were ‘palolo fishing’ in Savaii.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa as leader of the HRPP wanted to meet with call candidates to work on a winning strategy in their respective electorates.
The Government party has already registered 120 plus candidates for the 51 electoral constituencies to be contested in the general elections.
The concern is the risk of weakening the winning chances for the party with too many candidates in one constituency splitting up the voting base.
A preliminary list is being put together of possible candidates after today’s meeting to be finalised on the 20 October 2020.
The final list of candidates has to be presented to the Office of the Electoral Commissioner before the nomination period closes on 23 October 2020.
“There is still time to go over the lineup we have registered already and make the necessary changes to ensure we have the candidates with the best chances of winning in the general elections.”
Candidates, however, will still have to sign up personally with the Office of the Electoral Commissioner to be officially nominated.
The HRPP leader is secure in the party’s track record of national developments to win the confidence of the voters for another winning run by Government in the 2021 General Elections.
“The success of our national programme of developments has won us the support and the confidence of the voters.
“Our strong leadership and firm decision making has earned us their respect and trust.”
The PM is ready to welcome an opposition party in Parliament but he believes they will always be compared to what Government has achieved with developments and improvements in Samoa.
The HRPP plans to launch its party election manifesto next month in November a few months out from the April 2021 General Elections.
