By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 16 August 2025: The Electoral Court has issued recommendations for the Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC) to assist bring clarity to aspects of candidates qualifications following this weeks electoral challenges.

After the court delivered its decisions on various electoral challenges yesterday, Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson made recommendations he hopes the Electoral Commissioner would consider based on the court’s findings on the latest challenges.

The recommendation was to consider an affidavit or statutory declaration from the village mayor – Pulenu’u and female village representative Sui Tama’ita’i and a church minister stating the reason(s) why they refuse to confirm a candidate’s cultural or church contributions – monotaga.

He also asked for consideration of providing separate forms for a religious monotaga and a cultural monotaga.

Justice Nelson said it was considerably difficult to interpret the nomination forms hence the recommendation especially when the Samoan and English versions were not in harmony.

Costs awarded to successful challenges
The court also made an order for the unsuccessful applicants in the electoral challenges to pay costs to the sum of $2000 tala.

The caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio will pay a costs of $2000 for the unsuccessful challenge against the FAST Secretary Va’aaoao Salu Alofipo.

FAST leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt to also pay the same amount to candidate Faaulusau Rosa and $1000 to Office of the Electoral Commissioner.

As for the unsuccessful challenge by FAST candidate Muaufaalele Mary Taeu against Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo, Justice Nelson said it was apparent from the beginning of evidence that the parties are related, and as the application is successful, the applicant (Leatinuu) is entitled to costs.

“However, in the light of their relationships, at this stage we make no order unless the parties think differently and submit an application.”

The decision clears the Faleata 2 parliamentary seat as uncontested as Leatinuu’s application has successfully disqualified the FAST and HRPP candidates.

FAST leader Laaulialemalietoa will once again face HRPP candidate Faaulusau Rosa Stowers whom he convincingly beat in the past 2 elections, but she did enter the 2016 parliament under the 10% quota for women representatives in the House.

FAST Secretary Va’aaoao Salu Alofipo will go up against caretaker DPM, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio for the Gagaemauga 2 seat.