The constituency of Gagaemauga No.1., has yet to convene a meeting to discuss a decision for their newly elected Member of Parliament, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio. 

The constituency is made up of the villages of Samalaeulu, Patamea, Mauga, and Saleaula. 

Their winning candidate, Tuala, has secured his passage to Parliament, but also found himself as perhaps the most pivotal figure in Friday’s elections, after 15 years of trying and failing.

Preliminary election results showing a dead-heat between the incumbent Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) and the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa Ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) political party. Each has an estimated 25 seats in Parliament.

With Parliament composed of 51 seats, that still leaves Tuala, the independent winner of Gagaemauga No. 1, as the Member-elect whose support could determine the course of the next five years of Samoan politics. 

In an exclusive interview with the Samoa Observer newspaper over the weekend, Tuala said he was in no rush to make any decisions before every ballot is officially counted to see if he maintains his position as the nation's 'kingmaker'. 

He admits he has yet given little thought to potentially determining the balance of power over the next five years.  

A visit by this newspaper to the elders of the constituency confirms that the four villages are yet to convene a meeting, putting to rest the rumors circulating on social media that the constituency has already presented their wish for Tuala to join a particular party. 

"We are waiting for Tuala to call a meeting," said Vaifale Taouma Petelo, a high chief from Mauga. 

"Tuala wants to wait for the results of the final count before he considers calling a meeting, to seek the opinion and wishes from the elders. 

"We respect that and we shall wait and see what will happen next." 

When asked about what he thought of the preliminary results released on Friday, Vaifale said the results were both "satisfying" and "unexpected."

"For our constituency, we are satisfied as our candidate won the election. He deserved the win as he has tried so hard and for so long to get into parliament. 

"What I like about Tuala is that he has never made a promise to our village and people. From the beginning, we have never heard Tuala say that he will do this and that should he succeed in the election. 

"As you know, for this village of Mauga, we don't have access to the water supply. All the families in the village rely on water tanks for water. 

"We did make requests to the former M.P. of this constituency, Sala Fata Pinati. We even went to the Minister of Works, Papali'i Niko Lee Hang. They told us that they will consider our requests and will work on it. But we still have not heard from them since last year. So we are hoping that our new M.P. will push for that issue for our village of Mauga. 

"We are satisfied with the result. This is the candidate we supported from the beginning, so we are happy that he won." 

F.A.S.T. coming up with the same number as H.R.P.P. was unexpected, said Vaifale. 

"It was not what I expected, but I guess the people have spoken. They want to see a new government, and it echoed through Friday's result."

When queried about which party they would want Tuala to join, Vaifale dodged the question and replied saying: "That kind of decision is not to be made by one person alone. 

"There should be a meeting where all the elders of the constituency should congregate to discuss. We are waiting for Tuala to call a meeting where all the elders will attend, then we will discuss a decision. We trust Tuala to come up with a wise decision because he is an intelligent man. 

"We will listen to what he will say and we will present a final decision from all the different villages in the constituency. 

"Tuala is a well-respected man in our constituency. Not only because he is "Tuala" a matai title that is highly respected within Lealatele, but also because of his wisdom and knowledge. Whenever we seek Tuala's opinion on something he speaks well and I enjoy listening to him when he talks because he delivers his opinion in such a respectful way. 

"We are all hoping for change, and if it's God's will for Tuala to decide the government of the day, we will wait for God's perfect timing.

"That day will come, and he will whisper into Tuala's heart and mind and also the elders of this constituency."

High chief Semau Iosua of Patamea was not available for comment. 

However, another high chief, Alofipo Peteli II from the village of Saleaula commended Tuala for wishing to wait for the final results. 

Alofipo told the Samoa Observer that Saleaula has not been officially informed of when they are likely to meet as a constituency to decide Tuala's next move. 

"Saleaula has not been officially informed of the plans and when we are likely to convene a meeting to make a decision that we will present to Tuala. 

"What I do understand is that Tuala wants to wait for the results of the final count, and that he is hoping to seek a collective decision from the elders of the constituency. 

"But we have not been informed of when we will meet as a constituency to discuss the issue you are asking for."

Alofipo said they are backing Tuala as the winning candidate for their constituency. 

"We are satisfied with the results of the election. Tuala is no ordinary man. He is a High Chief, a lawyer, and someone who has been helping the people of this constituency. 

"We already made the decision before the election that whoever will win, will have our full support. 

"I have listened to Tuala's interview with the media where he said that he will seek an answer or advice from this constituency before he makes a final decision. 

"That is the way it should be and I am happy that Tuala knows and understands that. It shows that he respects those who voted for him and the elders of the constituency. 

"Those are attributes of a true leader. I respect him and trust him to come up with a very good decision for this country. 

"I see that the majority of the constituencies in Savai'i have voted for a change in government, and we are all praying for the best for Samoa." 

Simeona Lepaga, 43-years-old from Mauga thought Tuala deserved his victory and strongly believes that he will make the right decision for the betterment of their constituency and Samoa as a whole. 

"He deserved the win. He has been trying for so long to get into Parliament and now that he finally won, we are happy. 

"Tuala is a man of integrity. He has done a lot for the people, and individual families. 

"He likes creating conversation with the ordinary people and the youths of our constituency and whenever he gets the chance to come to Mauga, you would see him talking with the young ones and the elders. 

"He is a very intelligent man and I have the utmost respect for him. This is his time and I strongly believe that this was all part of God's plans for him from the beginning. 

"He failed the first and second time he contested because God was testing his faith and all that. But he did not give up, instead, it only pushed him to keep working hard and to prepare him for this year's election. 

"We are happy and very satisfied with the results we got. What's going to happen next is now in the hands of the Lord. We shall wait and see what he has planned for Tuala and for Samoa. 

"Whatever decision he makes and whichever party he will join, he will still have our full support. 

"I already have a party in mind that I would want him to join, but it's not up to me or someone else. The elders will discuss the issue with Tuala and God will give us the answer soon."