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Warrant of Election of 6th Woman MP Another Example of the Abuse of Law
FAST Party Leader, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa.
By Lagi Keresoma
“If the Electoral Commissioner had wanted 6 women MPs based on his interpretation of the Act now, he should have explained that well before the general elections so that six women MPs should be elected” – Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa.
APIA, SAMOA – 22 APRIL 2021: The leader of the FAST party Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa has questioned the intention behind the Warrant of Election issued late Tuesday night declaring HRRP former MP, Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tu’uau elected.
In a press conference last night, she said that this is yet another example of the abuse of law she and FAST had been talking about in the lead up to the general elections.
Fiamē was the Minister of the Electoral Office at the time the Act was prepared and passed and she clarified that the Act is not to add women members, but to ensure the number is not less than the legal number which is 5.
Fiamē said the declaration of Ali’imalemanu elected as the sixth woman member, seems like the Act was created for the purpose of adding women MP’s to Parliament.
“The intent of the Act specifically sets the minimum of women members of not less than 5 – ia le itiiti ifo, but not to add on women MP’s.”
Fiamē insisted the law is very clear that 5 is the number is there was doubt.
She also draws the difference between Article 44 of the Electoral Act and the United Nations stance to achieve 30% for women in Parliament for every country.
Fiamē said if the intention of the Warrant declaring Ali’imalemanu an MP is based on the 30%, then there should be a different law governing that.
After the general election, four (4) women won their respective seats and with Fiamē who was unopposed, made up the five members.
A 60 Seat Parliament
Currently there are 51 seats in Parliament.
“The only way to add a 6th woman parliamentarian is if there were 60 seats in Parliament. But we have only 51 seats,” said Fiamē.
She had previously insisted on the independence of the Office of the Electoral Commission.
“But I’m starting to count on things now,” she told media last night when questioned if the Office of the Electoral Commissioner was too politically involved.
Fiamē pointed to previous issues where the Commissioner always referred to the court for clarification without him making a decision.
“But why this issue, why now?” she asked.
“I’m surprised at how the Commissioner interpreted the Act and came up with such an advice for the Head of State to sign.”
She also said that if the Commissioner had wanted 6 women MPs based on his interpretation of the Act now, he should have explained that well before the general elections so that six women MPs should be elected.
Fiamē insisted that this another example of the abuse of the law and when the law “is our only protection” and why FAST is taking a legal challenge against the Electoral Commissioner’s decision and advice now duly signed by the Head of State.