Friday 9 July 2021 Mulinuu Apia Samoa. The Safata No.2 constituency will return to the polls in a by-election after the elected candidate, Nonu Te’o Lomialagi Lose Niumata of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) announced his resignation from the post following an out-of-court settlement with his petitioner, Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell
The matter was called before Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa and Justice Tuatagaloa Tologata Leilani Tuala-Warren this week, where counsels from both sides indicated their intention to withdraw the petition and counter-petition.
Petitioner Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell requested Nonu Te’o’s resignation as a condition for the withdrawal of his petition.
Nonu won the Safata 2 seat by 578 to Laumatiamanu’s 466, in a race of six candidates at the April 9th general election.
Nonu’s resignation is the third one for HRPP over the past week. He joins Aveau Leota Tima Leavai of Falealupo and Tuisa Tasi Patea of Sagaga 4.
As electoral petitions continue to be heard in the Supreme Court, the standing of Parliamentary seats is at FAST 26 – HRPP 20, as at Friday 9 July 2021.
