The Supreme court in Samoa has refused to accept the applications of three Tautua Samoa party to contest the general elections.
The three were seeking to overturn the decision by the office of the electoral commissioner to not accept their nominations as candidates for next month's election.
Our correspondent in Samoa, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia reports.
"The three candidates of the Tautua Samoa party disqualified are former parliamentary speaker Leota Leulua'ialii Ituau Ale, from the constituency of Anoamaa west and also Tu'ula Kiliri Lafi Tuitui from the constituency of Lepa. One other Tautua candidate Tafili Pele who lives in New Zealand but according to evidence in court yesterday he did meet the residential requirement in Samoa of more than 240 days, however the court said his declaratory orders signed by a church minister of Saaga village in Siumu had been refused. The chief justice, Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu, said the reason of his ruling will be made available next week."
