Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Samoa's Electoral Office has begun releasing the official results from last Friday's general election.
Of 12 constituencies confirmed, five seats went to the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), five to Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST), one to the Samoa United Party, and two to independents.
Seats confirmed include FAST's Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma in Aʻana Alofi II, HRPP's Tuiā Pu'a Letoa in Safata II, and FAST's Ale Vena Ale in Faleata IV.
The two seats won by independents so far are Motouopuaa Seve Henny Papali'i in Vaisigano II and Aiolupotea Misa Aiolupo in Palauli III.
The official count will continue throughout the week, with 38 constituencies still to be finalised as of early Tuesday.
Preliminary results showed Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt's FAST is leading, followed by Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi's HRPP.
One electorate, Faleata 2, was declared pre-election with Leatinuu Wayne Fong confirmed as the winner, after two other candidates were ruled ineligible.
More counts get underway on Tuesday from 10am local time, and an official writ confirming the full results will be issued by the Head of State on Friday.
Last Friday, 430 polling booths were in operation across the country.
Each location was supplied with two boxes: one for ordinary ballots and a second one for special votes from constituents registered elsewhere.
Electoral commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Alexander Stanley said the special boxes were opened on Saturday under the supervision of scrutineers and the media.
