Member of parliament for Falealili No.1 Tuiloma Laniselota Lameko and  Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo have issued notices to withdraw their election petition and counter petition.

Tuiloma had filed the petition alleging bribery and treating by Toelupe. This was followed by a counter-petition from Toelupe alleging the same.

According to the two, the alii and faipule of the villages comprising Falealili No.1 have always desired that they support the successful candidate for their constituency, whoever that may be.

In accordance with those wishes, they have counselled both parties to work together for the betterment of the constituency to ensure the stability and the prosperity of its people.

According to the notice, the parties have heeded this counsel from their constituency, and as such, both parties have agreed to put the welfare of the constituency first and have agreed to set aside their differences.

“The parties acknowledge that continuing with these proceedings will be detrimental to the stability of their constituency and both have accepted the counsel from their alii and faipule that the best interests of the constituency should be the parties’ paramount consideration,” said the notice.

Tuiloma and Toelupe said in this spirit, both parties wished to withdraw the election petition proceedings and wished to save the court’s time and resources; and

“Both parties’ paramount consideration now is what’s best for their constituency, and they truly believe that withdrawing these proceedings will be in their best interests as well as their constituency,” the notice from the two stated.