Seven witnesses told the Electoral Court on Tuesday that the Minister of Environment and Safata.1 member of parliament, Anapu Seve Te’i, paid between $100 and $500 to voters before the election in the petition filed by Lea’ana Ronnie Posini.

The claims form the central issue in the petition.

The petition challenges the results of the August 29 general election in Safata No.1, one of the closely contested races in the recent polls. In court, all of the petitioner’s witnesses took the stand, called by Lea’ana’s lawyer, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, to give testimony against Anapu. The witnesses alleged that the first respondent had made payments to them before the election.

Justice Vui Clarence Nelson presided over the proceedings. 

The witnesses’ testimonies outlined alleged inducements. The court heard detailed accounts from several individuals about payments made in the lead-up to the election.

Anapu, represented by lawyer Mapusua Tanya Toailoa, actively countered the allegations. The respondent’s witnesses are scheduled to appear before the court on Wednesday to respond to the claims raised by the petitioner and provide evidence supporting Anapu’s position.

The Safata No.1 constituency was closely contested in the August elections. Both parties have stressed their commitment to a fair judicial process. While Lea’ana argues that the alleged payments undermine the integrity of the election, Anapu maintains that the results reflect the genuine will of voters.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on this petition will determine whether the election results in Safata No.1 will stand or if further legal and electoral remedies will be required. 

Wednesday’s hearing is expected to be crucial in evaluating the credibility of witnesses and the evidence presented.

Three election petition hearings were scheduled for this week. Two have been withdrawn, leaving six petitions to be heard.