The leader of the Human Rights Protection Party, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has sought clarification from the Office of the Electoral Commission following their announcement on the campaign period. 

The OEC announced that the campaign period starts on 14 July and ends on 24 August; however, many parties, including HRPP, have been engaged in campaigning for almost a month.

He has also sought legal advice from their party's lawyers to confirm that they are not breaching any electoral laws.

"I have sent a letter to the OEC to clarify this. Our lawyers have advised us that campaigning at this point is allowed until a day before pre-polling," he said. 

"All political parties have long started their campaigns, they have started announcing their candidates and putting up posters. This is why I have written a letter to OEC, if they could clarify this to avoid any misunderstandings." 

Tuilaepa believes that the announcement has come as a surprise because this is not a normal election. He said the sudden dissolution of parliament has created all these changes.

"The campaigns are still eligible Laauli announced it first, that they have 51 candidates, and every district will have a candidate running from the FAST party. And then you came and asked us when we are announcing ours. Other political parties have also revealed their candidates," he said.

HRPP started their campaigning in June, announcing their manifesto and candidates. FAST has also revealed its potential candidates. SUP has also announced its candidates, with other parties already conducting consultations in districts. 

Queries by this newspaper to the OEC had received no response as of press time.