Twenty candidate nominations appealed

Appeals against the nominations of twenty candidates running for next year's election have been lodged with Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (M.J.C.A.), a document obtained by the Weekend Observer shows.

The electoral challenges are listed for mention in the Supreme Court on Monday, 2 November at 10 am.

The petitions include a challenge between two candidates contesting the seat of Lepa currently occupied by the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi. 

The applicant is Faletagoai Tausaga who filed a petition against Tu’ula Kiliri Tuitui who had his nomination approved to compete with the Prime Minister. 

A list of the twenty petitions obtained by the Samoa Observer also confirmed the Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, is challenging businessman Fiu Gasologa Tavita’s. 

Fiu is running from the Fa’asaleleaga No. 1 seat alongside female candidate Matamua Seumanu Vasati. She is flying the Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) banner. 

Attempts to get an official comment from the Chief Executive Officer of M.J.C.A., Moliei Simi Vaai, were unsuccessful. 

The Samoa Observer was told she was busy in a meeting with Judges of the Court to sort out the list for the hearing of petitions, starting on Monday next week. 

Another petition involves the Associate Minister of Finance, Mulipola Leiataua Laki against the Electoral Commissioner. Talalafai Toma Amosa, of Iva Savai’i, who is contesting the Fa’asaleleaga No. 2 seat also confirmed he filed a petition in the courthouse on Friday. 

Others who have already publicly declared that they are filing petitions include I’a Sau Kaisara for Lefaga and Falease’ela; Papali'i Panoa Tavita for Sagaga I; Paloa Louis Stowers for the Faleata 3 constituency; Fata Ryan Schuster for Sagaga 2; Su’a Sam Su’a for Aleipata Itupa i Lalo and Vui Senafolava Masinamua for Fa’asaleleaga 5.

Attempts were made to contact the Electoral Commissioner, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, for comment on Friday. 

A full list of the challenges, including applicants, respondents and their representatives is included below:

Applicant(s)

Respondents

Counsel

1

Attorney General for and on behalf of the Electoral Commissioner

T Malifa

2

Sili Epa Tuioti

Electoral Commissioner and Fiu Gasologa Tavita Foloki

P Fepuleai

3

Faletagoai Tausaga

Attorney General for and on behalf of the Electoral Commission and Tuula Kiliri Lafi Tuitui

M Leung Wai

4

Fata Meafou

Attorney General sued for and on behalf of Electoral Commissioner, Taliaoa Viliamu and Puna Kelekolio

H Schuster

5

Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau

Office of the Electoral Commission

T Leavai

6

To’i Ioane Ilalio

To’i Ioane Tautuave and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Electoral Commissioner

I Sapolu

7

Tevaga Tupuivao Mapusaga and Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio

Electoral Commissioner

S Ponifasio

8

Leoa Tauti Kalepo Faaleolea and Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio

Electoral Commissioner

S Ponifasio

9

Leiataualesa Faaui ll Niuapu I

Electoral Commission, Sianifoa Vaimoana Sooaemalelagi and Attorney General on behalf of Electoral Commission

F Tufuga

10

Su’a Samuelu Su’a

Electoral Commissioner

A.Su’a

11

Paloa Louis James Stowers

Attorney General, Electoral Commissioner and

P.Chang

12

Vui Seigafolava Sione Masinamua

Toi Sakalia Taituave

P.Chang

13

Papalii Tavita Moala

Attorney General for and on behalf of the Electoral Commission

M.Lui

14

Fuatimau Maumea Leniu

Attorney General on behalf of the Electoral Commissioner and Magailefua Maposua Tuiafiso Gafoaleata Faitua

L Su’a Mailo

15

I’a Sau Toeupu Kaisara

Attorney General and Electoral Commissioner

L Su’a Mailo

16

Talafai Toma Amosa

Attorney General and Electoral Commissioner

L Su’a Mailo

17

Mulipola Leiataua Laki Misikei

Attorney General and Electoral Commissioner

L Su’a Mailo

18

Leumuava Asalemo Tuimauga

Electoral Commissioner

U Fuimaono

19

Tuifaasisina Misa Lisati

Electoral Commissioner and Aiolupotea Toni

U Fuimaono

20

Tuifaasisina Misa Lisati

Electoral Commissioner and Mataafa Faavae

U Fuimaono