By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 24 AUGUST 2023: Six candidates were registered today to contest the September 13 & 15 by elections for the Faleata 4, Siumu and Vaa o Fonoti constituencies.

Today is the first day for the registration of candidates and closes at 12.00pm tomorrow, Friday 25 August.

The three MPs who resigned from the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and triggered the by elections, have registered and will contest the seats under the ruling FAST Party.

They are Ale Vena Ale for Faleata 4,Tu’u’u Anasi’i Leota for Siumu and Mau’u Siaosi Pu’epu’emai for Vaa o Fonoti.

Former Health CEO who handled the 2019 measles epidemic and the Covid-19 pandemic, Leausa Take Naseri is the HRPP candidate for Vaa o Fonoti.

Two Independent candidates were also registered today. They are former cop Faalogo Kapeli for Siumu and Ulu Bismarck Crawley who ran as an HRPP candidate in the 2021 general elections for the Faleata 4 seat.

Two more candidates are expected to be registered tomorrow, the closing date for nominations. They are the HRPP candidate for Siumu, Tu’u’u Amaramo Sialaoa who only picked up forms to be filled today and Feutaga’i Sa’u Autaloto Brown for Vaa o Fonoti and whose newly established political party is in the process of being registered with the Ministry of Commerce Industry & Labour (MCIL) before it becomes a legal party.

Once the nominations close, candidates have until Thursday 31 August 2023 to withdraw and there is also a window to challenge the eligibility of candidates before pre-polling on Wednesday 13 September and the main polling day on Friday 15 September 2023.

The return of Writ for By-election is set for Monday 18 September 2023.

By-election districts & nominations as of today

Siumu
Tu’u’u Anasi’i Leota – FAST
Faalogo Kapeli – Independent

Vaa o Fonoti
Mau’u Siaosi Pu’epu’emai  – FAST
Leausa Take Naseri – HRPP

Faleata No.4
Ale Vena Ale – FAST
Ulu Bismarck Crawley – Independent