OEC Communications Officer suspended and under investigation 

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 9 September 2026 – The Communications Officer for the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (OEC), Seumanutafa Lima Vaepule, has been suspended for 3 weeks while he is under an internal investigation.

No specific details regarding his suspension have been disclosed, but Seumanutafa appeared on a television program where he discussed issues concerning compensation payments to residents of Safata No. 2 affected by the HMNZS Manawanui disaster.

During the interview, he expressed the view that the payments should not have been issued at the time the Safata 2 by-election was scheduled.

Whether the suspension is based on his comments on television is yet to be confirmed.

The suspension is part of a disciplinary process being carried out under Section 12(6) of the Electoral Commission Act 2019 and the Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Johnny Stanley confirmed the investigation is in progress and makes no further comment until its conclusion.