29 Jul 2019

Charges over allegedly fake Samoa election registration

2:30 pm on 29 July 2019

The Office of the Electoral Commissioner in Samoa has charged five people in relation to the recent by-election at the Fa'asalele'aga Number 2 constituency on Savai'i.

Symbol of law and justice in the empty courtroom, law and justice concept, court

Photo: ikiryo/123RF

The electoral commissioner Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio told Samoa Observer that two of the people charged were government appointed village representatives who were verifying that registering voters were residents of the constituency.

Faimalomatumua told the paper the village representatives have been charged with providing false information to verify residential status.

The accused will appear in court on 28 August for hearing.

Meanwhile, 423 registered voters who failed to vote now have to pay a $US37 penalty fee or face court charges.

Faimalomatumua said so far only 60 people have paid the amount..

He said those voters who have been served twice and still not paid the penalty fee will soon find themselves being prosecuted in court.