Aiga I le Tai Election Petition Withdrawn

Apia, Samoa – 14 October 2025 – The election petition against the Speaker of Parliament, Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua has been withdrawn in court this morning. The petition was filed by an Opposition candidate and former MP, Mulipola Leiataualesa Laki.

The Pulenuu for Salua, one of the villages of the constituency prayed to court that the petition be withdrawn as both the petitioner and respondents are from the same village and that they respect the honour and recognition of the Speaker of Parliament given the village and constituency.

Both the petition and counter petition have been withdrawn. Both parties are to advertise a notice of withdrawal and the matter to be recalled on 23 October where a copy of the advertisement to withdraw be provided to the court.

Three of the eight election petitions are running simultaneously in three Supreme Court rooms today. There are reports of other petitions to be withdrawn which will shorten the court time set down to hear the petitions which implicate election malpractices during the 29 August general elections.