At the close of candidate nominations for the by-elections, 22 aspiring politicians have registered to contest the seven constituency seats, the Office of the Electoral Commission (O.E.C.) has confirmed. 

Out of the 22 registered candidates, two of them are running as independents with one backing the Tautua Samoa party, 10 represent the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party and nine are flying the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) banner. 

Nominations registration began on Monday this week and closed at 12 pm Friday. 

A list of the candidates whose nominations have been approved by the O.E.C. show a record six contestants vying for the Sagaga No. 2 constituency. While the Aana Alofi No. 2 constituency has four candidates – three men and one woman candidate. 

According to the list there are only two female candidates who are running for two different constituencies. 

The outcome of the by-election – whether the two female candidates will come through or not – will determine whether a constitutional provision which mandates 10 per cent of women representation in parliament (as in six women Members) can be invoked. 

Should both women win the by-elections the mandatory provision will not be triggered unless one or none of them got elected.  

The 22 candidates will still have to go through the last electoral requirement of eligibility – should their nomination be challenged – which then has to go through the court before they are cleared to contest. 

The names of the 22 candidates and the constituency seats they are contesting is listed below: 

Sagaga No. 2 

Faalogo Ivin Chan K. Tong (F.A.S.T.)

Fa’amausili Siona Tauafao (H.R.P.P)

Fata Meafou (F.A.S.T.) 

Fata Ryan (F.A.S.T.) 

Maulolo Tavita Amosa (H.R.P.P.) 

Vaotuua Michael Toevai (Independent) 

Sagaga No. 4 

Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa (F.A.S.T.) 

Tuisa Tulimasealii Tasi Patea (H.R.P.P.) 

Aana Alofi No. 2 

Aiono Tile Gafa (H.R.P.P.) 

Apenamoemanatunatu Tuuau Letaulau (H.R.P.P.) 

Faletutulu Ameti Faletutulu (Independent) 

Lolomatauama Eseta Faalata Mataituli (F.A.S.T.) 

Safata No. 2 

Laumatiamanu Ringo M. Purcell (F.A.S.T.) 

Nonu Teo Lomialagi Lose Niumata (H.R.P.P.) 

Falealili No. 2 

Fuimaono Laauli Talataina (F.A.S.T.) 

Leleimalefaga Neemia Fonotia (H.R.P.P.) 

Maiava Fuimaono Tito Asafo (F.A.S.T.) 

Aleipata Itupa i Lalo 

Faagasealii Sapoa Feagaiai (H.R.P.P.) 

Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua (F.A.S.T.) 

Sua Samuelu Sua (Tautua) 

Falealupo 

Fuiono Tenina Crichton (F.A.S.T.) 

Tuitogamanaia Peniamina Junior Leavai (H.R.P.P.)