Two women candidates for the Human Rights Protection Party have been elected Members of Parliament following the application of the special measure in Samoa’s Constitution to ensure Parliament never has less than 10% women representation.
Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau achieved 40.03% of the votes casted in her constituency at the April 9th general election.
At the by-elections last week, Faagasealii Sapoa Feagiai lost to former Manu Samoa Coach Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua in the run for the Aleipata-Itupa-i-Lalo seat. Her percentage of votes being 35.91% which edged out Lolomatauama Eseta who had attained 35.06% of the votes.
Calculation of Women’s Percentages
Given the official results, Lolomatauama’s percentage of total votes casted in her constituency was 35.06%
Lolomatauama – 393/1121 x 100 = 35.06%
The Aleipata Itupa i Lalo final count saw the former Manu Samoa Coach Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua extend his lead to 504. The final count has him at 1146 votes to HRPP’s woman candidate, Faagasealii Sapoa Feagiai’s 642. There were 2 discarded votes.
With those numbers, Faagasealii’s percentage was 35.91%.
Faagasealii: 642/1788 x 100 = 35.91% rounded to the nearest tenth.
During the general election in April 2021, HRPPs Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau secured 40.03% (464 out of 1159) while Toomata Norah Leota of FAST secured 780 out of 2200 or 35.45%.
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