The Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has moved to intervene in the electoral petition for the Falealili No. 1 constituency, amid claims that a settlement was reached between petitioner Tuiloma Laniselota Lameko and Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo to withdraw the case.

The Electoral Court, presided over by Chief Justice Satiu Perese Simativa and Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke, convened on Tuesday to confirm legal representation and set the next hearing date.

Chief Justice Satiu confirmed that lawyer Iuni Sapolu is now officially on record as counsel for the petitioner, Tuiloma. 

“The intention of this lecture is to ensure that the respondent to the counter petition has a lawyer, given that Alex Su’a is unable to proceed with the representation of the petitioner at this stage, and so that is confirmed with Iuni Sapolu now on record as the lawyer for the petitioner,” he said.

The Chief Justice outlined the next steps, confirming that the court will hear HRPP’s application to intervene on Thursday, 13 November.

“We wanted to get some certainty before the hearing that we foreshadowed for Thursday,” he said. “The hearing will be intended to consider the intervener’s application to intervene.”

Counsel Meleisea Mathew Lemisio, representing HRPP along with lawyer Francis Ainuu, is expected to file a further affidavit by the close of business on Wednesday. Respondents to the application to join are to file and serve their responses by 4 pm on Wednesday, 12 November.

The petition stems from the August 2025 general election, where HRPP candidate Tuiloma was defeated by Toelupe, who represents the ruling Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party and serves as Deputy Prime Minister.

Both Tuiloma and Toelupe had filed notices of their intention to withdraw the petition last week, but HRPP has since intervened, alleging that a private settlement was reached to facilitate the withdrawal. The party argues this move is contrary to its interests and the principles of electoral integrity.

Lawyers Precious Chang and Muriel Lui appeared for Toelupe, while Sapolu represented Tuiloma. The court will determine on Thursday whether HRPP will be formally allowed to join the case before it proceeds with further directions on the petition.

Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe denied wrongdoing and expressed frustration over questions about an alleged $100,000 payment to withdraw an electoral petition last week.