4 Apr 2006

Samoa's election results spark violence

12:12 pm on 4 April 2006

Anger is still simmering in parts of Samoa after the election results over the weekend.

The main violence has been in an electorate in Savaii, where the Works Minister, Faumuina Tiatia Leoaga, won over a top ranking matai, Letagaloa Pita.

Philippa Tolley reports from Apia.

"The Samoa Observer reports that attempts have been to burn a second school in the constituency after a school was destroyed, and a man shot and wounded as the election results came in. The paper says water supplies to several villages were also cut off. A supporter of the deputy leader of the opposition SDUP has reported her house was stoned over the weekend and windows were smashed. Earlier a man armed with a machete had come to her house and made threats. The official count of all votes cast in the general election begins today and will include all special ballots"