By Staff Writer
Hundreds of women took to Tiafau Malae this morning in support of their rights to a minimum of 10% of the seats in Parliament.
The large turnout of women all dressed in white, packed up both sides of the road front at the revered Mulinu’u grounds.
Many waved placards to draw public attention to the rightful number of seats guaranteed for women in Parliament.
The women moved onto the grounds to merge with a political rally by the Human Rights Protection Party, HRPP, leading the extra seat for women fight.
A legal battle is underway this week to decide whether 10% represents 5 or 6 seats for women in the 51-member Parliament.
The two main political parties disagree over the numbers with the HRPP arguing it should be 6 while rivals FAST is adamant it is 5.
The Supreme Court has already ruled in favour of FAST but the ruling is being appealed by the HRPP.
The Appeals Court is hearing the appeal starting today, Monday 31 May 2021, and is expected to deliver its ruling by next Wednesday.
FAST will win a 1-seat majority if the Appeals Court rules in their favour. Both parties will end up deadlocked at 26-seats each if the HRPP wins.
New general elections are highly likely with Parliament hung up without a winning majority by both parties.