Pacific / Samoa

One to go and no change in Samoa recount

07:28 am on 17 April 2021

With votes of just one district still to be recounted, the Electoral Commissioner says there are no changes in the results of Samoa's general elections.

Today the ballots for the remaining constituencies, bar one, on Savai'i have been recounted and all those declared winners last Friday have retained their victories.

The parliament, in that poll, was split evenly with the new FAST party and the incumbent HRPP both taking 25.

There is one independent.

Samoa Parliament Photo: RNZ Pacific

The margin in the Salega 1 electorate was reduced to six from 13 but FAST member Fepulea'i Fasavalu Faimata held the HRPP incumbent To'omata Aki Tuileama.

It now looks increasingly likely the deciding vote will belong with Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio who is believed to be in discussions with his constituency to decide where he will cast his vote.

This evening electoral commissioner Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio will present the results to the Head of State who will then declare them official.

If a clear winner emerges then Parliament will be called no later than April 26, 2021 for the swearing in.

Read more on Samoa's election: Samoa's cliff-hanger election explained