Former Member of Parliament La’auli Leuatea Schmidt will not have a free run to regain his seat in a by-election for the Gagaifomauga No. 3 on the 28th August 2020.
An independent candidate Fa’aulusau Simi Laulua has tossed in a challenge for the seat left vacant by La’auli when he resigned at the last session of the House.
The former MP who set up his own political party FAST was largely expected to have a free run for re-election.
The Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio accepted the nomination of candidates for the constituency by-election with their respective delegations.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has already confirmed that his ruling HRPP party will not field a candidate.
La’auli and current sitting MP Fa’aulusau Rosa Stowers both represented the HRPP for Gagaifomauga No. 3. before the much publicised resignation by La’auli.