11 Apr 2019

New Samoa MP all clear for swearing in

11:22 am on 11 April 2019

A new Samoan MP Namulaulu Sami Leota can now be sworn in as no election petitions have been filed after a by-election last month.

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Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The Fa'asaleleaga by-election was the first to be run under new amendments to the Electoral Laws passed earlier this year.

The Samoa Observer reported the Ministry of Justice confirmed no election petitions had been filed in relation to the by-election that Namulaulu won in a landslide.

The statutory 30-day period to file election petitions has expired and the election night results stand.

One of the law changes meant that early voting was introduced and voters had to travel to their electoral constituencies to cast their votes.

The Electoral Commissioner said the new changes worked well during the by-election.