A by-election was held in the Gagaʻifomauga 2 constituency in Samoa on 3 June 2022.[1][2] It was won by Independent politician Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane.[3]
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The by-election was triggered by the death of the incumbent member of parliament (MP) Vaʻele Paʻiaʻaua Iona Sekuini of the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, in March 2022.[4][5] Originally five members were expected to contest the seat: Two members of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene, a former associate minister of justice who previously represented the constituency from 2011 to 2021, and Soʻoalo Fineaso Poka. A single member of FAST, Lomia Tauloa Moafanua Siaaga, filed his candidacy. The remaining candidates consist of Independents Falesaopule Vaialia Iosua and Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane.[6] On 19 May 2022 Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene withdrew his candidacy to support Sooalo Fineaso Poka.[7]
Conduct
editPre polling commenced on 1 June.[8] Voting began on 3 June, with a total of roll 2,031 registered voters. Polls closed at 3pm (UTC+13:00), where a preliminary tally commenced. An official count took place the following day.[9]
Campaign
editFalesaopule Vaialia Iosua
editFalesaopule Vaialia Iosua, a former public servant who previously served as the assistant chief executive officer of the women's ministry, announced that he intended to address social inequality. Falesaopule, who also served in the ministries of health and education, sports, and culture, has promised to focus on improving access to water, education, and roads, to which he stated he would "fight for the roads in my district to be fixed should I succeed, some of the villages in my constituency have been waiting for years but to no success," On gender equality, he announced that he wants to enhance "economic women empowerment". Falesaopule also intends to increase efforts to decrease youth unemployment, which he said can potentially become disastrous for the constituency due to the relatively easy access these individuals have to alcohol. He said a prime focus would be to help vulnerable families, including individuals with disabilities.[10]
Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane
editFoʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane, a farmer, and businessman filed his candidacy for the seat as an Independent. He wanted to contest the constituency in the 2021 general election but opted out for personal reasons. Foʻisala said that he filed his candidacy for the by-election due to the encouragement from members of his village of Lefagaoaliʻi and pressure from the village elders. He originally intended to run as a FAST member but opted to run as an independent when the party endorsed FAST contender Lomia Tauloa Moafanua. Foʻisala announced that he would join FAST if victorious. He stated that he is a 'man who makes no promises' and supports the manifesto of FAST. Foʻisala also expressed that he intends to implement policies proposed by FAST and said, "...the late M.P., Vaele had already cut the pieces of the cake for this constituency…so all that's left to do is for someone to step up and distribute it to the constituents".[11]
Endorsements
edit- Executive officials
- Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, Prime Minister of Samoa and Leader of FAST[12]
- Organisations
- Executive officials
- Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene, former Associate Minister of Justice[6]
Results
editEarly results indicated an inconclusive race and showed Foʻisala having a slim lead over the HRPP's Soʻoalo.[13][14] Final results showed Foʻisala winning by over 60 votes.[3]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane | Independent | 441 | 32.26 | |
| Soʻoalo Fineaso Poka | Human Rights Protection Party | 380 | 27.80 | |
| Falesaopule Vaialia Iosua | Independent | 287 | 20.99 | |
| Lomia Tauloa Moafanua Siaaga | Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi | 259 | 18.95 | |
| Total | 1,367 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 1,367 | 99.85 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 2 | 0.15 | ||
| Total votes | 1,369 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 2,031 | 67.41 | ||
| Source: Samoa Global News[15] | ||||
References
edit- ^ Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga (26 April 2022). "By-Election Date for Savaii's Gagaifomauga II Constituency Confirmed". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ Mataiʻa Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (6 May 2022). "Date for Gagaifomauga No. 2 by-election confirmed". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ a b Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (4 June 2022). "Foʻisala is Gagaifomauga No. 2 Member-elect". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ Mataiʻa Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (25 March 2022). "Associate Minister of Agriculture passes away". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga (25 March 2022). "Associate Minister Vaele Paiaaua Iona Sekuini Passes Away aged 57". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ^ a b Mataiʻa Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (13 May 2022). "Five candidates vie for seat in Parliament". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga (19 May 2022). "One HRPP Candidate Withdraws from Upcoming By-Election". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (1 June 2022). "Pre-polling gets underway in Gagaifomauga No. 2". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (3 June 2022). "Gagaifomauga No. 2 by-election underway in Savaiʻi". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Adel Fruean (25 May 2022). "Candidate keen on addressing social challenges". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (28 May 2022). "Lefagaoaliʻi matai aspires for public office". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ a b Lagi Keresoma (20 May 2022). "FAST Endorses Candidate for Gagaifomauga No 2 by-election". Talamua Online. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (3 June 2022). "Foʻisala leads as vote count for Gagaifomauga No. 2 by-election continues". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Gagaifomaugs 2 By-Election 2022 – Priliminary Results". Talamua Online. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Independent Candidate Foisala Lilo Ioane Wins Gagaifomauga 2 By-Election". Samoa Global News. 5 June 2022. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.