The Tautua Samoa Party has elected Va'ai Papu as its new leader ahead of the general election in March.
The deputy leader is Palusalue Fa'apo II.
But the Tautua candidates who win seats will gather again to choose their leader.
The arrangement was agreed to in case neither Va'ai nor Palusalue is returned in the election.
Both leaders are former cabinet ministers of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party.
Va'ai has confirmed that independents in the opposition and other smaller parties have agreed to run under the banner of Tautua in the election.
This gives them 48 candidates so far.