Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party candidates have come out on top in four constituencies following six by-elections, preliminary count results released on Friday night show.

The preliminary count results released by the Office of the Electoral Commission (O.E.C.) on Friday evening show the governing party has secured the seats of Falealili No. 2, Aleipata-i-Lalo, Sagaga No. 4 and Safata No. 2. 

The party’s four victories in the by-elections pushes its total number of seats in the 51-seat Legislative Assembly to 31 with the rival Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) only securing two seats to raise its total to 20.

Had the F.A.S.T. endorsed just one candidate in the Sagaga No. 2 seat, it would have won the constituency with the majority vote, as the total tally of votes that went to the new party.

Prime Minister and leader of the F.A.S.T. party, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa told the Samoa Observer on Friday that the preliminary count results are evidence of the nation’s support for the new administration.

“It’s encouraging for the party that is leading the Government,” she said hours after the preliminary results concluded.

“We feel thankful with the provisional count of the by-elections that shows the support from the nation through their vote to support F.A.S.T. candidates.

“It’s important to have all seats in parliament occupied so it can continue its parliamentary work as well as the Government’s work.” 

The F.A.S.T. had a head start on Monday this week when the Falealupo seat candidate and Member-elect Fuiono Tenina Crichton successfully argued his case in the Supreme Court which resulted in the disqualification of his H.R.P.P. opponent Tuitogamanaia Dr. Peniamina Leavai from contesting. 

Fuiono was declared unopposed resulting in no by-election for Falealupo while six other constituencies began the race on Wednesday this week during pre-polling. 

Fiame said if the final results change next week they will accept it, saying it is not anyone’s choice and it is the constituencies’ decision. 

Asked if she anticipated the results, Fiame said in regards to the by-elections it is a trend that the party in Government always comes out the winner. 

She said except for La’auli Leuatea Schmidt’s by-election last year – where he was returned to the parliament – normally the Government always comes through and the provisional results reflected that. 

And while  the H.R.P.P. has for now claimed the Aana Alofi No. 2 seat, the sole woman candidate endorsed by the F.A.S.T. party, Lolomatauama Eseta Mataituli is only nine (9) votes behind the H.R.P.P. winner Aiono Gafa Tile in the preliminary results. But that could change when the pre-polling and special votes are tallied by the O.E.C. together with the official votes on Monday.

Fiame said Lolo has a big chance of upsetting her rival and her victory will not only boost the number of F.A.S.T. numbers but also the representation of women in the parliament. 

Asked to comment on the challenges that the HRPP has faced during polling to hold onto their seats and win more to return to power, the Prime Minister said parties should remember that ultimately it is the voters and constituencies who decide.

“There is no difference in the [H.R.P.P.] leader’s announcement in the by-elections than the one made in the general elections [in April],” she said in response. 

“He [Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi] predicted the H.R.P.P. will win [majority] seats in the main election but you must remember that whatever the preparations are from the political parties the decision is up to the voters and the constituencies.”

With the clear majority now held by the F.A.S.T. following the by-elections preliminary count, Fiame said it is crucial for any Government to have the majority during its term in office. 

She said the results from the preliminary count of the by-elections reaffirmed the party’s 26 Members from the April general election and strengthened the party’s leadership.

Speaking from Maota Samoa on Friday night, FAST Chairman and Agriculture and Fisheries Minister La’auli Leuatea Schmidt said the party “does not sail on a losing boat”. 

The final count of the by-elections results will be made on Monday and the official declaration to be announced on Tuesday.