Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) candidate for Faleata 3, has denied claims made by local taxi drivers that they are waiting for his confirmation to transport voters to polling booths ahead of Friday’s general election.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Lealailepule said he was surprised his name was mentioned by three different drivers. “Confirm from me? Why would I confirm? Why would they need my confirmation?” he said.

The claims surfaced after three taxi drivers in Vaitele told the Samoa Observer on Monday that they expected to be called on to provide transport for voters on election day, specifically pointing to Lealailepule. But the HRPP candidate rejected any involvement. “I’ve been thinking, whoever wants to go to [vote] using a taxi is up to them. I never said anything to that regard, ever,” he said.

When asked if he had any role in arranging such services, Lealailepule was clear: “No, why would I? I don’t need to transport my voters.”

He also noted that any coordination of transport for voters by candidates would break the law. “First of all, it’s against the law to instruct anybody to transport people to the elections. That’s their own right to go and take people if they want to. If they ask, people call them to go, that’s fine by me,” he said.

Lealailepule said he could not explain why the drivers had brought up his name but stopped short of calling them dishonest. “No, I’m not sure why they would say that," he said.

Despite distancing himself from the claims, Lealailepule noted the mention of his name could indicate strong support. “That’s a good sign. It means that they’re open to voting for HRPP. So if they mention my name, which is good. It means that all of them are going to vote for HRPP,” he said.

The Faleata 3 constituency will go to the polls along with the rest of Samoa on Friday, with pre-polling starting on Wednesday.