HRPP down to 24 seats after Court voids election of Sagaga No 2 member

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 18 JUNE 2021: The Human Rights Protection Party is down to 24 seats after the Supreme Court found elected member Seiuli Ueligitone guilty of thirteen counts of bribery and two counts of treating.

The decision delivered Friday also found the Petitioner, Maualaivao Pat Ah Him, another HRPP candidate, guilty of 10 counts of bribery and one of treating.

The ruling by Justices Vui Clarence Nelson and Fepulea’i Ameperosa Roma declared the election of Seiuli void and means both men are disqualified as election candidates for the next ten years.

The bribery charges against Seiuli stemmed from the village meeting on the 27 January 2020 where he presented $10,000 tala for their morning tea, whilst the other four counts of bribery took place on election day.

The proven acts of bribery against Petitioner Maualaivao Pat Ah Him concerns money given to 10 voters from the Petitioner at his office at the Nia Mall.

Each party to bear their own costs.

The Court also pointed to a number of issues it intends to raise with the Parliament Speaker from this matter.

These include:

• the affidavits to be written in Samoan language;
• the extension of the requirements in section 111 of the Electoral Act 2019 for filing of a statutory declaration  to counter petitions;
• the Respondent who counter petitions to also pay a deposit of $2000 as is required of the Petitioner;
• strengthening the prohibition in section 97 (1)(b) against voters being transported to polling stations as this seems to still be a prevalent practice.

Decision: Maualaivao Patelesio Ah Him v Seiuli Ueligitone