American Samoa's Chief Election Officer Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono has denied a challenge questioning the eligibility of four governor and lieutenant governor candidates running in the 6th of November elections.
Save Liuato Tuitele and Tofoitaufa Sandra King Young questioned the eligibility of the candidates in light of their active campaigning before resigning from their government posts.
But Soliai says the chief election officer's authority is limited to verifying gubernatorial candidates' eligibility to run for office, not whether they have resigned before actively campaigning.
He says since it is not within his authority nor ability to make a decision regarding the complaint, the challenge is denied.
Therefore, he says the names of the candidates being challenged shall appear on the ballot in November.
The four candidates which were named by Save and Sandra's challenge were Lolo Letalu Moliga and Dr Salu Hunkin Finau who are running for governor and Taufete'e John Faumuina Junior and Le'i Sonny Thompson who are candidates for lieutenant governor.
