5 Oct 2010

Samoa's HRPP to consider whether to accept new candidate

10:14 am on 5 October 2010

Samoa's ruling Human Rights Protection Party will consider in a meeting later this month whether to accept a new candidate reportedly supported by Falelatai and Samatau constituency to run for the HRPP in the general election next year.

The new candidate will replace the current MP and deputy Prime Minister, Misa Telefoni, who has decided not to run in the constituency which he had represented in parliament for nearly two decades.

Misa has already delivered a letter of resignation to the high ranking chiefs of Falelatai.

A group of matais from the constituency accompanied the new candidate to meet the Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, who is also the party leader.

After the meeting, Tuila'epa said the chiefs' request will be considered in a party executive meeting.

But he added that any acceptance of the new candidate will depend on the current MP.