Faatuatua i Le Atua ua Tasi Party has taken Savaii by storm securing 15 of Savaii’s 20 Parliamentary seats, as well as 10 Upolu seats after the preliminary unofficial count of Samoa’s 2021 General Elections.
It is the closest election for Samoa in over 3 decades since HRPP has dominated the often referred to as ‘one-party-state.
Following an aggressive media campaign and roadshows across the nation, FAST has gained momentum in the past year as Samoa’s newest political party – calling for change.
The Human Rights Protection Party has been the dominant political party since 1982 and Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi has led the party since 1998.
The people of Samoa, however, have spoken through the polls, indicating a nation split down the middle with 25 seats to FAST, 25 to HRPP, and 1 Independent Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio from Savaii’s Gagaemauga 1 constituency.
Unofficial results also sees five women have secured their seats, meaning the temporary measure does not come into force and the Samoa XVII Parliament of Samoa remains at 51.
Samoa’s next government may well be decided by the lone Independent candidate, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio.
Preliminary Unofficial Results Savaii for FAST:
1) Faasaleleaga 1 – Matamua Vasati Seumanu Sili Pulufaga wins over former Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti.
2) Faasaleleaga 2 – Magele Sekati Fiaui edges out veteran MP and former Minister Gatoloaifaana Amataga Gidlow
3) Faasaleleaga 3 – Papalii Lio Oloipola Taeu Masipau replaces Namulauulu Papalii Leota Sami Leota.
4) Faasaleleaga 4 – Tea Tooala Peato replaces HRPP MP and owner of Rosalote Tofa Foleni Lio.
5) Gagaemauga 2 – Seuamuli Fasi Toma replaces former Deputy Speaker Nofoitoa Mataia Valu Talaimanu Keti
6) Gagaifomauga 2 – Vaele Paiaau Iona Paiaau Sekuini beats former MP Sooalo Umi Feo Mene and Doctor Peauala Titi Lamese.
7) Gagaifomauga 3 – FAST Deputy Leader Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt gets a landslide win over Faaulusau Rosa Lavea.
8) Vaisigano 1 – Niuava Eti Malolo replaces the former Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lopaoo Natanielu Mua.
9) Vaisigano 2 – Valasi Luapitofanua Toogamaga Tafito Selesele wins against Tapulesatele Mauteni Tamasone Metuli Esera.
10) Alataua Sisifo – Seuula Ioane wins against former Chair of the Parliamentary Finance Committee Aliimalemanu Moti Momoemausu Alofa Tuuau.
11) Salega 1 – Fepuleai Faasavalu Faimata Sua wins the seat that was also contested by Tautua Samoa party leader, Afualo Wood Uti Salele.
12) Salega 2 – Olo Fiti Vaai returns to Parliament beating two HRPP and one Tautua candidate.
13) Palauli 1 – Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo wins a close contest against Siva Afi founder Leotamanusala Lene Leota.
14) Palauli 2 – Tiatia Laulu Mapesone Mapusua replaces senior HRPP member, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga
15) Palauli 3 – Lagaaia Tiatuau Tufuga wins the seat that belonged to Tuifaasisina Misa Lisati Leleisiuao Palemene, whose brother had also contested the same seat.
Preliminary Unofficial Results –Â FAST has also secured 10 seats in Upolu, being:
1) Vaimauga 4 – Faualo Lefau Harry Schuster replaces former Minister of Justice Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu.
2) Faleata 1 – Manuleleua Paletasala Tovale upsets HRPP Associate Minister of Health Salausa Dr John Ah Ching.
3) Faleata 2 – Leatinuu Faumuina Wayne Sooialo Fong returns from his seat, beating two HRPP candidates.
4) Aana 1 – Fesolai Apulu Tusiupu Tuigamala wins a newly formed constituent seat against 1 SIS, and 1 Independent.
5) Aana 3 – Agaseata Valelio Tanuvasa Peto won against Independent rep Ili Setefano Taateo Tafili.
6) Aana 4 – Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster wins back his seat from former Minister of Communication and Information Technology.
7) Aiga i le Tai – Auapaau Mulipola Aloi Tafua wins against 4 HRPP candidates.
8) Lefaga and Faaleaseela – Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe secures the seat against 4 HRPP candidates.
9) Falealili 1 – Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo replaces former HRPP MP Aumua Isaia Lameko.
10) Lotofaga – FAST Party Leader Fiame Naomi Mataafa – uncontested.
The official count is said to be done on Monday with all scrutineers present.
Tonight Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi at a press conference called for peace as Samoa awaits final counts and official results of its 2021 General Elections.
Leader of FAST Party Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa called a press conference late Friday evening to thank party supporters and confirm the 25 preliminary seats for Samoa’s newest political party.
