Less than two years away from Samoa's next General Election, the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) has initiated its campaign for the 2026 polls, signaling a determined effort to reclaim lost ground. 

Led by former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, the party asserts that it has absorbed crucial lessons from its defeat in the 2021 election and is now poised to implement a series of strategic reforms aimed at revitalizing its electoral prospects.

Reflecting on the past, Tuilaepa candidly acknowledged the party's errors during the last election cycle. 

Chief among these, he highlighted was the detrimental impact of fielding multiple candidates for a single seat, a tactic that ultimately fragmented the party's support base and diluted its electoral strength. 

With a rueful nod to statistics indicating that 60 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots in favour of H.R.P.P. candidates in the previous election, Tuilaepa emphasised the critical importance of unity and strategic candidate selection in securing electoral success.

"That is why I urge all the respective districts across the country that we will not accept having more than one or two candidates in the upcoming election," Tuilaepa said in response to queries from the media this week. 

"Having more than two candidates from this party contest one seat was one of the major mistakes we made during the 2021 General Elections. 

"But we will not repeat that same mistake but will liaise with the different districts to recommend and support one strong and good candidate to run under the banner of this party."

In addition to the internal challenges posed by candidate proliferation, Tuilaepa conceded that the party had underestimated the significance of addressing allegations and criticisms leveled against the government during the campaign period. 

In hindsight, he acknowledged that the party's failure to engage with these concerns directly had contributed to a loss of public trust and bolstered support for rival factions, notably the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T) party.

However, the H.R.P.P. is not content to dwell on past mistakes. Embarking on a proactive outreach campaign, party members have begun a series of community engagements aimed at dispelling what they perceive as "incorrect" allegations and misrepresentations. 

From meetings with Samoan expatriates in American Samoa to planned engagements with supporters in New Zealand, the party is determined to confront and correct the narratives that have eroded its standing in the eyes of the electorate.

In a statement outlining their strategy moving forward, Tuilaepa affirmed the party's commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to the concerns of the Samoan people. 

Emphasising the importance of reconnecting with communities and addressing their grievances head-on, he expressed confidence in the party's ability to rebuild trust and secure a decisive victory in the upcoming election.