Electoral Commissioner says new political party not registered

The Electoral Office has confirmed it has not received any application for the registration of a new political party, despite the party's leadership announcing its registration last week.

The Electoral Commissioner, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, said there is no registration for a new political party under the Electoral Act 2019. 

Faimalo was responding to questions from the Samoa Observer in relation to the recently announced and recreated Samoa National Democratic Party (S.N.D.P.) 

He said that the President of the S.N.D.P., Vui Seigafolava Masinamua, and another member had inquired and met him on Monday about the registration process. 

“From our meeting, I noted that they have registered their party under the Incorporated Society Ordinance but not the Electoral Act 2019,” said Faimalo. 

Contacted for a comment, Vui confirmed they had not registered the party with the Electoral Office. 

He explained that in the past it was common practice to register the party name with the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L.) before it goes through the Electoral Office. 

“But things have changed and apparently you no longer have to go there you can register the political party directly with Electoral,” said the President.

After meeting with the Electoral Commissioner on Monday, Vui said they are now in the process of registering the party before they commence works to launch it. 

The party is also hoping to meet with the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party who is also the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi sometimes this week. 

The S.N.D.P. is the recreation of the old opposition party known as Samoa National Development Party (S.N.D.P.) 

It was de-registered in 2005. 

The Electoral Commissioner said there are 11 existing political parties in the registry including the de-registered SN.D.P. 

They are: H.R.P.P., Samoa National Party/Pati Aoao Samoa, Samoa United People’s Party (S.U.P.P.), Samoa mo Samoa Party, The Christian Party, Samoa Temokarasi Tuufa’atasi Party (S.D.U.P.), Samoa Party, The People’s Party (T.P.P.), Tautua Samoa Party (T.S.P.) and Samoa First Political Party (S.FP.P.).