Samoa Electoral Commission

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made the comment during a press conference with the media at the HRPP headquarters.

The call follows the arrest of the assistant Electoral Commissioner Afualo Darryl Mapu after a drug raid at his house.

Four illegal pistols, including a revolver, two rifles, $2,900 tālā cash, methamphetamine and several laptops were confiscated during the raid.

The Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi chairman and MP, Laauli Leuatea Polataivao, said four of his party's candidates would challenge their disqualification on the village service or monotaga and the 305-day residential requirements.

The chairman also revealed the party was preparing a challenge in court if the Parliamentary speaker would declare vacant two seats held by two independent MPs who registered their candidacy for next year's election under the F.A.S.T or Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi party.

In a recent Press Release it stated that while OEC respects the potential candidate’s freedom to express his views and his own interpretation of the Electoral Act, the Office is not bound by those views and that interpretation.

The team observed the election of the Lord Mayor of the Municipality of Jayapura and the Regent of the Jayapura Regency this week.

Part of the Pacific delegation is in Manokwari, the capital of West Papua, on a similar mission.

A Pacific Islands Forum team is monitoring the Indonesian regional elections.

The Forum Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor earlier this week said the Pacific region and Indonesia share a belief in the principles of good governance and fair and free elections.