Former Minister of Finance Hon Lautimuia Uelese Vaai has registered a massive lead in the preliminary results of the Vaimauga 3 by-election.

The elected MP for Vaimauga 3, Taialiiseu Afoa Fiti Aimaasu had won the August 2025 general election as an HRPP candidate.

The by-election was triggered when HRPPs Taialiiseu Afoa Fiti Aimaasu resigned to cross the floor and join the FAST party.

After the preliminary count of 11 booths, Hon Lautimuia registered 1,695 votes while Taialiiseu of the ruling FAST Party secured 949 votes.

Lautimuia has a whopping 746 vote lead before special booths and the final count is complete.

So we are going to go ahead and call this by-election as a solid win to Lautimuia.

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Preliminary Totals (all 11 booths):

• Lautimuia Uelese Vaai (IND) – 1,695

• Taioali’iseu Fiti Aimaasu (FAST) – 949

• Tuuamaalii Tupuola Fomai Sapolu (HRPP) – 532

• Puaalatai Tupuola Filemoni (IND) – 438

Lautimuia ran a strong election campaign with public statements on the economy, cost of living and fiscal policy.

He stressed that a candidate does not have to be a member of the ruling party to stand for his constituency.

He also stressed that constituents do not miss out on government programs for the nation of their MP is an Independent MP or a member of the opposition.

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