News

By-elections to be called in Samoa for three vacant seats, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

Members of the Tautua Samoa party forced out by the Samoa government’s amendments to the Electoral act say they will contest the upcoming by-elections for their seats.

Samoa Opposition says villagers told to back only Government candidates, Solomon Star (2010)

Some reports show that people living in small villages were told not to vote for Tautua Samoa candidates.

Tautua Samoa’s Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi loses parliamentary seat, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, the leader of the Tautua Samoa party lost his seat in the Parliament. The by-elections were triggered by his own party.

Retiring Samoa MP wants more women in Parliament, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Samoan Associate Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour's call for more women in politics. Minister Hans Joachim announce his retirement and called for more women to participate in politics and run for elections.

Top businesswoman in Samoa turns down running for parliament, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the decision of Samoan businesswoman not to run for Parliament in next year's general elections. Lemalu Sina Lima, daughter of Prime Minister Misa Telefoni, announced her decision yesterday, stating that it is inappropriate for a father and a daughter to be members of the parliament at the same time. Ms Lemalu is the president of the Chamber of Commerce and runs a major car rental company.

Tautua Samoa Party to campaign on citizenship issue, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Tautua Party's decision to advocate for the voting rights of overseas Samoans. This topic will probably be debated in the upcoming election campaign. The government still opposes the idea of introducing voting abroad operations claiming that Samoans overseas should not influence domestic policies.

Misa won’t stand in same constituency in next year’s Samoa election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the acting Prime Minister Misa Telefoni's decision not to run for the next year's general elections. Misa made this announcement to the chiefs of his constituency, but will not elaborate on the reasons behind his decision.

Tautua Samoa claims broad support in election bid, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Tautua Samoa party's decision to reach out for support from the small political parties in the next year's election. Tautua Samoa MP stated that all the parties, like the Samoa Party and People’s Party, will run under the Tautua Samoa banner.

Samoa party still confirming list, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the finalization of the candidates' list for the Tautua Samoa Party. The general elections in Samoa are scheduled for March 2011.

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Samoa to go to polls in early March, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the announcement of the final date for the next general elections in Samoa. The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, announced the date in the parliament, adding that the assembly will be dissolved in January. Samoan voters will cast their ballots on March 4th, 2011. The Human Rights Protection Party, in power since 1979, currently holds two thirds of the seats in the 49-seat parliament, and it is the leading party in the forthcoming electoral race.

Samoa’s HRPP to consider whether to accept new candidate, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Human Rights Protection Party's discussions on whether or not to accept a new candidate. The new candidate should replace the current MP and deputy Prime Minister, Misa Telefoni, who announced her decision not to run for the next elections.

District court judge in Samoa will run as a candidate in next year’s election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the decision of Judge Tauiliili Harry Schuster to run in next year's election in Samoa. The judge decided to run as candidate for the opposition Tautua Samoa Party.

Lack of effective opposition fuels one-party state perception of Samoa, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the political party system in Samoa. According to Fonoti Dr Lafitai Iupati Fuatai, director of the National University’s Centre of Samoan Studies, the lack of a well-organized opposition party may convince people that Samoa is a one-party state. The Director believes that the 2011 election will be different and that the Tautua Party has a really good chance to challenge the ruling HPPP Party.

Tautua Samoa Party delays naming candidates, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article report on the decision of the Tautua Samoa Party to delay the naming of the candidates for the 2011 election. The party spokesperson stated that they will release the final list early next month, when the voters registration will be complete. So far, only one candidate is known: District Court judge Tauiliili Harry Schuster.

Tautua Samoa Party banding together with smaller parties, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on Tautua Samoa Party's decision to join forces with smaller parties in the race for the 2011 elections. Party officials announced that they are determined to challenge the ruling Human Rights Protection Party. The aim is to run one opposition party member in each constituency, rather that running 3-4 different candidates.

Samoa opposition plans to change conditions for political candidates, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the electoral campaign of the Tautua Samoa Party. The Party announced that if elected they will implement a series of political reform to make the system more democratic. They are protesting, for example, against the fact that state servants face losing their jobs if they stand as opposition candidates. The party is finalizing the candidates list, but many members are hesitant to run for the elections.

Samoa PM welcomes election challenge in his seat, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates for next year's elections in Samoa. The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, welcomed the new candidate that will be competing with him for the candidacy in the Lepa seat. Mr Tuilaepa held his seat for 25 years.

Overtime for Samoa electoral staff, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the voter registration activities in Samoa. Elections staff are working over time to register new voters and change the constituencies for voters who wish to do so. This registration operations, however, closes today and the general elections are scheduled for March.

100,000 Samoans register for March election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the voter registration in Samoa. The Electoral Commission closed the voter registration activities on November 4: more than 100,000 people have registered for the forthcoming general elections.

Tautua Samoa party accepts leadership challenge before 2011 election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the challenges of the Tautua Samoa party members to choose their leader before the March 2011 general elections. The election of a Tautua Samoa party leader is expected this week, but the party will probably decide to nominate its leader only from the winning candidates of next year’s election.

Samoa ruling party announces over 100 election candidates, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates for the upcoming general elections in Samoa. The ruling HRPP party announced that it will be presenting 116 candidates: 80 of them will be running with the party, while 36 will run as independents. It will be the first general election in which this party has more than 100 candidates.

Tautua Samoa party announces election candidates, Radio New Zealand International (2011)

This article reports on the presentation of the candidates representing the Tautua Samoa political party. The forty seven candidates will be running in the March general elections. The ruling HRPP party, on the other hand, will present its list of 116 candidates next month.

Samoa public servants running in general election told to resign, Radio New Zealand (2011)

The article discusses the candidate regulations in the coming general elections in Samoa. Public servants running for parliament were told to resign and return all government property in a cabinet directive last week. Public servants can, however, re-apply for vacancies that arise in the public service if they fail to enter parliament. Opponents of the directive believe it to be unconstitutional.

Two former Samoa MPs kept off electoral roll, Radio New Zealand (2011)

The article describes the Supreme Court ruling in Samoa to exclude two former MP's from the electoral rolls of next month's elections. Both MP's had lost their seats in the parliament because of bribery and treating.

Election candidates in Samoa pull out of race, Radio New Zealand (2011)

The article discusses the candidate nominations in Samoa general election. Three candidates have withdrawn their nominations for an unknown reason.

Samoa head of state declares election of two unopposed HRPP candidates, Radio New Zealand (2011)

The article describes that Samoa's ruling HRPP party has gained two seats in the parliament based on a court decision. Two members of Tautua Samoa party were disqualified because of failing to provide required services.

High turnout for Samoa election, AFP (2011)

The article discusses the turnout in Samoa general elections. Newly united opposition parties were able to mobilize the voters.

Samoa case over election candidate’s residency put off till next month, Radio New Zealand (2011)

The article discusses the decision of Samoa supreme court to adjourne an election dispute case to next month. One candidate is accused to be non-eligible regarding the recidency requirements.

Samoa’s ruling HRPP elects party leader and country’s prime minister, Radio New Zealand (2011)

The article discusses government formation in Samoa after general elections. The ruling party HRPP has re-elected Tuilapea Sailele Malielegaoi as its leader and country's Prime Minister.