By Staff Writer
The final outcome of Samoa’s 2021 general elections was officially decided today, Wednesday 21 April 2021, with a ‘hung Parliament’.
Independent MP Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio has reeled in the brief 1-seat lead by the HRPP as of Tuesday night with the declared election of woman MP Aliimalemanu Alofa Tu’uau.
Officially the HRPP and FAST parties are now locked at 26-seats a-piece.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said in a press conference earlier today, Wednesday 21 April 2021, that the legal option left is for the Head of State to void the results of the general elections and call for new ones.
Anticipated court challenges are looming with the FAST ‘first off the mark’ by filing a court motion against the declaration of woman MP Ali’imalemanu elected.
The Alataua i Sisifo MP was elected to make up the 10% threshold of women MPs in Parliament.
Both parties have already indicated they going to file petition challenges in court to contest the outcome of the elections in the Electoral Constituencies.
A 10-day-working period to file election petitions started this week last Monday 19 April 2021, with all of next week starting on Monday 26th up to Friday 30th April 2021 left to run before it closes.
The road ahead for Samoa is very uncertain on the coming weeks and possibly months, with both parties in no position to form a new Government until after the court hearings.
The question left is whether there will be new elections called or the country is left hanging waiting for the outcome of court hearings.