2011 Samoan by-elections explained

Four simultaneous by-elections were held in Samoa on 29 July 2011.^[1] They followed on from the general election on 4 March, after which the results in several constituencies had been challenged. The Supreme Court voided

• the election of Va'ai Papu Vailupe (of the Tautua Samoa Party) in the Vaisigano No.1 constituency due to bribery and treating,
• the election of Alai'asa Filipo Schwartz Hunt (elected as an independent, but who had then joined the Human Rights Protection Party) in the Anoamaa East constituency due to corruption,
• the election of Taua Kitiona Seuala (of the Human Rights Protection Party) in the Aleipata Itupa I Luga constituency due to corruption, and
• the election of Tavu'i Tiafau Salevao (of the Human Rights Protection Party) in the Satupaitea constituency due to bribery and treating.^[2]

Consequently, by-elections were held for those four seats to the Legislative Assembly. The governing Human Rights Protection Party won all four by-elections, giving it a total of 37 seats out of 49 in the Assembly, one more than it had had following the general election. The opposition Tautua Samoa Party was left with 12 seats.^{[3] [4]}

Results

The results were as follows.

Notes and References

1. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/198195/two-tautua-samoa-by-election-candidates-named "Two Tautua Samoa by-election candidates named”
2. http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/samoa-parliament-report-highlights-election-‘corrupt-practices-bribery’ "Samoa Parliament report highlights election ‘corrupt practices, bribery’"
3. http://www.savalinews.com/2011/08/02/bi-election-clean-sweep-for-hrpp/ "Bi-election clean sweep for HRPP"
4. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/198645/samoa-ruling-party-sweeps-by-elections "Samoa ruling party sweeps by-elections"