Speaker to delay swearing in of 2 Women MPs

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 11 DECEMBER 2021: The Speaker of Parliament, Papali’i Li’o Oloipola Tae’u Masipa’u is considering delaying the Swearing in of the two women appointed under Article 44 (1A), when parliament sits next Tuesday.

In a press statement, the Speaker outlined his reasons as:

1. The Warrant of appointment of the two (2) women is being challenged in court as to the validity, as to whether it was issued at the correct time.
2. The Warrant also seems to have been issued prematurely and may be invalid as a petition has been filed by a woman candidate from the by-election, and so her results are still not finalized, and so the election results are still not finalized, as has been directed by the Court of Appeal. (E C v Tuuau) C. A 05/21
3. There is a challenge to the formula used for the calculation of the 10% by another woman candidate and so a further issue about the calculation of the additional woman is also before the Courts, and directly impacts upon who can be declared to be the additional women Members of Parliament.
4. The Speaker must only have sworn the duly elected candidates who are also qualified to be members.  However the additional women seats do not qualify unless the electoral petitions are determined and any by-elections (if any) arise from those petitions.

The seven MPs elected in last months by elections will be sworn in when Parliament meets Tuesday 14 December.

The session will be preceded by a Prayer Service at 5am. The is also a pre-sitting on Monday where Members will be briefed on one legislation, the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2021 that will be tabled on Tuesdays’ session.