By Staff Writer
The 5-man by-election race for the Gagaifomauga 2 vacant seat is down to 4 with one of the candidates opting to drop out.
Former MP So’oalo Mene officially withdrew this morning as one of two opposition HRPP candidates for the 3 June 2022 polling for the Savaii constituency.
So’oalo Fineaso Poka remains the lone HRPP candidate against a rival from the ruling FAST party and two independents.
Both candidates and their village supporters met with the leader of the HRPP party this morning to give official notification of the withdrawal.
The decision by So’oalo Mene to pull out of the race should come as a relief to many of the opposition party supporters, anxious about the two party candidates splitting up the vote.
So’oalo Poka So’oalo is a newcomer who is a retired 62-year-old teacher and a father of 7.
The constituency seat was left vacant with the passing of the FAST Member of Parliament Vaele Iona.