The Samoa Uniting Party has secured the Faleata No.2 seat after Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo successfully won both his challenges. This means that even without going to the polls, Leatinu’u has won his seat.

This decision could be a game-changer for the new party on the block. The idea that SUP has already secured one seat even before the elections will influence the psyche of many voters. This could swing support for SUP. Surely, the Human Rights Protection Party and the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party have realised that they have to subtract one seat from their lists.

On Friday, the Office of the Electoral Commission was ordered to knock off the names of the candidates Leatinuu had challenged. His challenges were against Muaaufaalele Mary Tae'u of the FAST Party and Ulugia Elon Betham of the Human Rights Protection Party.

Many will complain and whine at the Electoral Court’s decision, but we have witnessed the beauty of a democracy and its processes. The Electoral Act allows for challenges, and if they are backed by irrefutable evidence, they become successful. In this case, Leatinu’u knew that he had cause to file a challenge.

The challenge’s success also shows that political parties need to select their candidates carefully. In this case, it seemed that HRPP and FAST fielded candidates, knowing that they did not satisfy the candidacy criteria as defined under the Electoral Act. While the Electoral Court will not pursue any further action, it must be noted that the act of fielding candidates who may not be qualified is an attempt to cheat the system.

The parties should have known better. This seemed like an attempt to disrupt votes, field unqualified candidates with fingers crossed that they make it to the polls unnoticed and then perhaps win the seat. Not very ethical and law-abiding, is it? The other question is, if the candidates were truthful or was it the party that was the one endorsing them, knowing of the illegibility? The political party’s selection committee should have been the first to scrutinise the candidates.

Sadly, the candidates who lost will bear the cost of the court and come to terms with the financial losses of the campaign, which included paid advertisements, billboards and the monetary service to the constituency. If the eligibility criteria were not met in the first place, then candidates should have known better. The cheating has already started even before parties form the government; it is hard to imagine what they will do once in power.

For now, we look forward to the elections in two weeks. All those qualified for pre-polling should have already filled out the forms at the Office of the Electoral Commission. The final count will display the true picture of how Friday’s decision influenced the outcome of the general election. For now, voters must think about who deserves their vote. Voters are the ones with the power to change things.

It will be interesting with 44 independent candidates and seven political parties. Anything can happen on polling day. This election will be a test for voters.