Following the handing down of two historical decisions by the Supreme Court of Samoa, the Caretaker Prime Minister Hon Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi in a live broadcast confirmed that appeals have been filed, and says Parliament cannot be called until there is a majority, insisting the final results of the April 9th general elections now stands at HRPP 25, FAST 24, Independents 2.
The two Independents referred to are FAST leader Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Independent-turned-FAST Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio, whom caretaker Prime Minister says are still officially Independent.
Hon Tuilaepa says there are good reasons for an appeal, and that is how they are moving forward.
“Ua tapena ai i le aso le talosaga apili e toe iloilo ai le faaiuga lenei, ona o loo iai mafuaaga tetele lava e ao ai ona toe apili, o aga lava ia faafamasinoga.”
Tuilaepa says Parliament cannot be called until the 28 election petitions and counter-petitions are heard and decided.
“That means there are 75 election petitions in total..” he said.
The Supreme Court handed down two rulings on Monday afternoon. The first declared the decision for an additional Member of Parliament, HRPP’s Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau as unconstitutional; and the second decision found the Head of State’s writ calling fresh elections to be unlawful and therefore void.
In its decision handed down today, the Supreme Court reminded the Head of State of his obligations under Article 52 “to call a meeting of the Legislative Assembly within 45 days of the holding of a general election”.
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