FAST Dominate By-Elections Preliminary Results

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 15 SEPTEMBER 2023: The FAST candidates have dominated the preliminary results of todays’ by-elections for the constituencies of Siumu, Faleata 4 and Vaa o Fonoti.

The by-elections were triggered when the three MPs resigned from the opposition Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) last November and later resigned from parliament and accepted as FAST candidates.

Today’s results show a major shift away from HRPP towards the FAST Government especially when the three candidates were first elected under HRPP in the April 2021 general elections.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Vaa o Fonoti:

• Mau’u Siaosi Pu’epu’emai – FAST –737
• Leausa Dr. Take Naseri – HRPP – 201
• Feutagaiimealelei O. S. Brown – CDRP – 32
• Pre-Polling – 16

Simu:

• Tu’u’u Anasi’i Leota – FAST -599
• Tu’u’u Amaramo Sialaoa – HRPP –184
• Faalogo Kapeli Faalogo Lafaele – Independent) – 505
• Pre-Polling – 68

Faleata No.4

• Ale Vena Ale – FAST – 867
• Ulu Bismarck Crawley – Independent – 396
• Pre-Polling – 146

The final count will be next Monday and if all confirmed, the composition of Parliament will give the FAST Government 35 seats and HRPP 18.

During the roadshows leading to the by-elections, the FAST Party said it needed all three seats as it intends to secure a two thirds majority to undo the last HRPP government legislations that have weakened the rule of law.