Independent holds balance of power in Samoa’s election

Independent Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio.

Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – 10 APRIL 2021: Samoa’s general election result hangs in the balance and Independent Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio will tip the balance of power when he decides which party to rule for the next five years.

The Human Rights Protection Party that has ruled for forty years had a tight race with new Party Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi – FAST, ending with 25 seats each and Independent Tuala Ponifasio holding the balance of power.

However, the results may change with some close results when the official count commences next Monday.

Caretaker Prime Minister and HRPP Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi told the media last night to wait until the final count and also talked about some new things he had seen in this election campaign that must be addressed. He also implied that court cases may ensue from the election campaign.

Tuala Ponifasio, a lawyer, is successful in his third attempt in politics and he told Radio Samoa that he is not in a hurry and that he will need to consult his constituency and listen to advice before he makes a decision.

It is the closest election result in Samoa in the last forty years where HRPP had dominated and pushed through some controversial legislation as parliament was without a recognized opposition party.

FAST Leader, Fiame Naomi Mataafa who is potentially Samoa’s first female Prime Minister, acknowledged the result and the hard work her party. Elected unopposed by her Lotofaga constituency, Fiame is also waiting on the final count and expects some changes and also court cases stemming from the election campaign.