Savaii candidate registrations for the upcoming elections closed off at 47 after three days.
Electoral Commissioner Faimalo Mathew Lemisio says there were 24 HRPP and 16 FAST candidates at the close of registrations around 4pm yesterday afternoon.
Faimalomatumua says it was an extremely successful three days.
“We had very minor issues on first day with canidates’ documentation but once those were clarified, everything went smoothly.”
Of the 47 Savaii candidates, there were 7 women including 4 who are current Members of Parliament.
Four of Samoa’s five women MPs are all from Savaii. Current Minister of Health Faimalotoa Kika Stowers-Ah Kau, MP for Faasaleleaga and former Cabinet Minister Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana-Gidlow, MP for Alataua West Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tuuau, and MP for Gagaifomauga No3 Faaulusau Losa Duffy Stowers.
Amongst the high quality women candidates who have publicly announced to run from Savaii are Principal of Leavai Law Aeau Leota Tima Leavai, who will run from Falealupo where her father Afioga Aeau Peniamina Leavai has served as Member of Parliament for many years.
FEXCO Samoa/Western Union General Manager and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o has registered for Palauli West and is up against incumbent Afioga Afoa Faleulu Mauli.
The Electoral Commissioner and his team have spent the first 3 days of candidate registrations in Savaii and will open for Upolu registrations at 9am this morning at the MPE conference room, NPF Plazza in Apia.
OEC closed registrations in Savaii after 4pm yesterday, and the team have travelled to Upolu on the 6am ferry this morning.
Candidate registrations continue to Friday 23 October 2020. Candidates who wish to run for a constituency in Savaii may still choose to register in Upolu.
