By Staff Writer
The opposition Human Rights Protection Party, HRPP, is off on a bounce at the start of the short working week with by-elections finally set for next month November 2021.
Speaker Papali’i Taeu Masepa’u has given the Office of the Electoral Commissioner, OEC, the go ahead with preparations for by-elections in 7 electoral constituencies.
The OEC online webpage has set out the key dates for the general public to take note of the by-election process:
- Issuing of Write for by-election process ;
- Nomination of Candidates 18th October 2021 to 22nd October 2021.
- Withdrawal of Nominations : 29th October 2021.
- 4. Campaign period opens 25th October and closes 9th November.
- 5. Pre-polling: 10th November 2021
- Polling Day : 12th November 2021
All of the 7 constituencies to be contested were won by HRPP in the general elections last April and the party is fired up to win all of their seats back.
Confirmation date of the by-elections brought relief to growing opposition suspicions last week of the unusual hold up.
Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, did not see why there should have been a delay after the House passed new amendment to the Electoral Act to speed up the process.
Speaker Papali’i defended the delay on legal clarifications to be finalized on the SAFATA No.2 and SAGAGA No.4 constituencies.
HRPP elected MP in the April general elections, Nonu Te’o Lose Niu Mata, is allowed to stand as a candidate in the upcoming by-elections for the constituency.
His election opponent Laumatiaamanu Ringo Purcell for the FAST party is also eligible to run.
Both agreed not to follow up on a court hearing set to review the outcome of the constituency vote in the April general elections.
SAGAGA No.4 general election winner of the seat, Tuisa Tasi Patea and his FAST opponent Tagaloatele Poloa are also allowed to run in the by-election for the constituency.