25 Jan 2011

Samoa speaker rules out sanctions over Tautua candidacies

2:29 pm on 25 January 2011

Samoa's parliamentary speaker, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei'ataua, has decided not to punish but forgive five independent MPs for declaring to stand for the Tautua Samoa Party in the general election in March.

Tolofuaivalelei has told parliament he forgives the MPs in the spirit of the New Year and as today marks the last day for the current parliament ahead of its official dissolution tomorrow.

The speaker did not allow a debate over his decision.

However outside parliament, the Tautua Samoa leader Vaai Papu Vaai said the five didn't violate the electoral amendments by declaring their intention to be party candidates.