Prime Minister, La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, announced more proposed changes to the Constitution, Electoral Act amendments, including two additional seats in parliament, announcement of a new police commissioner and cabinet to appoint a new press secretary.

La'aulialemalietoa made the announcement while talking to overseas-based media. 

Electoral changes

Laaulialemalietoa said two more seats, the urban constituency and Aiga i le Tai, will be made. He proposed that when independents are elected, they will have to choose a party to be in and not be independent.  

"Another part of the Electoral Act changes that the government is looking at, how to handle this situation if the MP's who ran under a particular party should go back to the election if that party is not accepted in parliament because it did not reach the number to form a party in parliament."

"That should be clear since most MPs who are elected and are not under an official party in parliament always become independent," he added.

He said a good example is the three MPs who are now independents, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo and Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua, who all ran under the Samoa ua Potopoto banner.

La'auli also highlighted the need to take Sale'aula back to where it's supposed to be in Savaii.

He was referring to the changes made to the electoral constituencies where some of the villages in Upolu are supposed to vote in Sale'aula, such as Salamumu and Le'auva'a.

He also highlighted the need to consider all election legal matters to be dealt with at the Electoral Court only.

He was referring to the matter between the Minister of Justice, Fesola'i Tusiupu Tuigamala and a matai from Vaiusu as the complainant, which is being dealt with at the District Court as a private prosecution.

Press Secretary

Laaulialemalietoa said the cabinet is looking at approving a new press secretary.

Nanai Laveitiga Tuiletufuga was sent on leave pending investigation after the Ministry of Health chief executive officer's announcement blunder. Initially, Toleafoa Dr Viali Lameko was announced as the new health boss. Almost 30 minutes later, the post was taken off the Government of Samoa Facebook page, and June Scanlan Lui was announced as the top bureaucrat.

Nanai had apologised and taken responsibility for the mishap.

Top Cop

The government intends to announce the name of the successor to Auapaau Logotino Filipo, whose contract was ended in October. 

Leautaua Samuelu Afamasaga has been acting in the police commissioner's role since then. He too has applied for the job.

Laaulialemalieto announced that after receiving 15 applications and following with the processes required for the selection of a candidate, the government will announce the new top cop at the end of the month.