election petition

The Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has now lost a total of five seats and holds 20 compared to the election winning FAST party's 26.

Two cases were heard today, with another deferred until tomorrow.

Today's case against the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party's Gagaemauga No 1 seat holder and Deputy Prime Minister-elect Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio was settled amicably, and withdrawn.

RNZ Pacific's correspondent in Samoa, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says the other was withdrawn but the seat will be contested again.

SODELPA, with the National Federation Party, had presented the petition, challenging aspects of the election process.

They planned to call eight witnesses but the court approved only two.

The parties then withdrew the petition.

Mr Rabuka said it was a decision not taken lightly.

He said the parties believed all eight witnesses were crucial to establishing the grounds for the petition.

RNZI reports the MP for Faasalele'aga number 2, Pa'u Sefo Pa'u, says the case against him was the result of trumped up charges in relation to the last election.

The ruling HRPP MP says the recently-passed Electoral Act rules that private prosecution cases must continue once they have commenced, and not be withdrawn.

According to RNZI, Le'aupepe said this came after the petitioner, former MP Aiono Tile Gafa, accepted advice from several matais of his village for the matter to be dropped.

Le'aupepe said a reconciliation had taken place, where Aiono, who ran against him in last month's election for A'ana Alofi number one constituency, said he had forgiven him.

RNZI reports the petition was filed by Ale Vena Ale, a former ruling HRPP MP who ran for the Faleata west constituency.

The case will be heard next Thursday, with the Associate Minister counter suing Ale Vena Ale on three counts of bribery and treating.

The election petitions are against the Kia-Hograno-Havulei Member of Parliament Jeremiah Manele, Northwest Guadalcanal MP Bodo Detkke, Fataleka MP Steve Abana, the Central Islands MP Bartholomew Parapolo, and the Member of Parliament for Temotu-Vatud Freda Comua.

The petitions were lodged by losing candidates in the National General elections last year.

A total of fifteen election petition were lodged after last year’s National General Elections, most of them citing bribery, treating and undue influence among their claims.