Court to Hear HRPP’s Application to Join Falealili 1 Election Petition

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 11 October 2025: The Human Rights Protection Party’s application to join the Falealili 1 electoral petition will be heard this Thursday before Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese and Justice Leiataulesa Daryl Clarke.

The application was presented before the court last Friday and counsel for the Applicant again pursued the matter this morning.

The petitioner, Tuiloma Laniselota Lameko, who was an HRPP candidate in the 29 August general election, and now represented by counsel Unasa Iuni Sapolu, is opposing the application.

Tuiloma filed an election petition against Deputy Prime Minister, Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo and was called two weeks ago where counsels for both parties agreed to withdraw not only the petition but also the counter petition.

The Court gave them 7 days to publish a notice of intention to withdraw before the matter was recalled last week.

However, HRPP intervened and filed an application as a joiner after learning of the petitioners’ intention to withdraw.

Counsels were called to Chambers where more discussions between them and the bench took some time.

When the case resumed, Chief Justice Perese informed HRPP counsel to ensure all their documents are filed before the end of today and for the other party to file their response documents by tomorrow.

The hearing of the application is scheduled for Thursday, 13 November 2025.