Out of the 26 women who had put their hands up to enter Parliament, five have emerged victorious with solid wins in their respective Constituencies.
Five women who secured their seats after the preliminary count on polling day, which means the constitutional 10% will come into effect for one seat. The selection of the 6th woman shall be done after all post-election legal petitions, and upon the completion of any by-elections that may follow.
Three women return to Samoa’s Parliament:
Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa – Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister. Fiame first entered politics in 1985 and this is her 40th year as an MP. Fiame’s Lotofaga seat was contested by two FAST party candidates. The Sa’o Faapito secured the Lotofaga seat with 454 votes. The two FAST candidates jointly polled 450 votes (214 + 236).
100% fresh organic and locally raised chicken; no growth hormones, no antibiotics.
Hon Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo – Samoa’s first woman Minister of Finance, first entered politics in 2021 as a FAST MP for Palauli 1. She secures the seat again with a massive lead over three competing male candidates.
Seve Fuimaono Te’i has won the Safata 1 seat, edging out Leaana Ronnie Posini who has held the seat for the past 10 years. Seve was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 2006 general elections, and was one of four women MPs at the time.
Two women enter Parliament for the first time.
Aeau Tima Leavai has won the Falealupo seat, contested by one male candidate and one female candidate. The village of Falealupo called a Village Council meeting and village prayer time today, to give thanks for the peaceful end of the general elections, and to congratulate all three candidates. The village matai formally endorsed Aeau as their parliamentary rep for the next five years.
Afamasaga Leone Masami contested the Aana Alofi 4 seat against 4 male candidates. Afamasaga won by a whopping 265 votes ahead of the 2nd placed male candidate. The Aana Alofi 4 seat was formally held by former Environment Minister, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, who polled third overall.
A Court of Appeal decision delivered in June 2021 set down the interpretation of Article 44(1A) of Samoa’s Constitution, stating that the minimum requirement of 10% women in Samoa’s Parliament equates to 6, however, the application of the reserve seats for women if needed – can only come into force after any by-elections which may follow election petitions.
SGN Summary of General Election Prelim Count:
FAST 33, HRPP 12, SUP 3, IND 3.
Note: Safata 2 is too close to call, however, the prelim count before pre-polling and special votes has the FAST party candidate Tupai John Matthes ahead of HRPP’s Tuia Pua Letoa by 4 votes.
Note: Fiu Faaolatane Ponifasio is registered as an Independent, however, he has been on the campaign trail with FAST, so we’ve counted him as FAST.
Public Notices
Latest posts by Staff Reporters (see all)
Post Views: 3,161
