By Martha Taumata Faavae
One of the many scenes of village leaders escorting candidates to register at the HRPP party headquarters.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is riding high on the popular appeal of the ruling HRPP party to candidates registered so far for the 2021 general elections.
Eight new candidates signed up at party headquarters, Sogi, on Tuesday including notable senior Government ministry officials.
The election register of new candidates running under the HRPP banner is now up to 110 since the registrations were organised monthly with the 5th this week.
The party leader believes it is already a big number that may reach up to 130 for new candidates alone.
PM Tuilaepa said the registrations are done for this month with the next to follow next month in September on a date to be announced.
“ All the candidates we have registered so far wanted to join the HRPP based on the developments they see around,” Tuilaepa noted in a tone of rewarding achievement.
“This is the yardstick they took to judge the credibility of the political parties and we have done much.
“ Government development over the years speaks loudly than all the election talk the other parties are throwing out.”
The HRPP leader also sees the village and constituency leaders escorting candidates to be registered as a show of support for the Government.
Tuilaepa boasted of not canvassing for candidates to join the party like the others are reported to be doing.
“At the HRPP all we do is put out a public announcement of the times and dates of our registrations and the choice is up to the candidates wishing to run in the general elections.”
Government holds a majority of 47 seats out of the 50-seat Parliament and the numbers will edge the count of election candidates closer to 200 when included in the total they have registered so far.
Six other political parties are challenging the HRPP durable hold on power in next year’s general elections.