Respondents in 8 Election Petitions have a week to countersue

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 20 September 2025: The respondents in the eight electoral petitions filed in Court yesterday, have a week to file counter sues if they do wish.

The timetable for election petitions set down by the Chief Justice, gives one week for any respondents to file a counter sue, then the court will set down the schedule for the hearing dates.

The petitions implicate election malpractices such as bribery and treating in last months general elections.

Of the 8 petitions filed yesterday, 4 are by HRPP against FAST, 3 by FAST against HRPP and one by an Independent against a FAST winning candidate.

The submission of petitions closed on Friday.

HRPP Petitions
Mulipola Leiataualesa Laki against Parliament Speaker Auapaau Aloitafua Mulipola of the Aiga ile Tai constituency.

Peseta Vaifou Tevaga against Vui Iiga Sione (FAST) of Faasaleleaga 5.

Tuiloma Tusa Laniselota Lameko against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works & Infrastructure, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo of Falealili 2.

Leaana Ronnie Posini against Seve Tei Fuimaono of the Safata 1 constituency.

FAST Petitions
Former Speaker Papalii Li’o Teau Masipau against Namulauulu Sami Leota (HRPP) of Faasaleleaga 3.

Magele Sekati Fiaui against Va’aelua Senetenari Samau (HRPP) for Faasaleleaga 2.

Tamaleta Taimang Jensen against Lenatai Victor Tamapua (HRPP) for Vaimauga 2)

Independent Petition
Fuimaono Maria Meredith against the Minister of Agriculture Fuimaono Tito Asafo for Falealili 2.

The Court Registrar, Papalii Taimalelagi Afele said the hearing sequence of the cases will depend on the order in which they were filed and received by the court.