Samoa's ruling Human Rights Protection Party has won back its seat for Faasaleleaga number two constituency after last Friday's by-election.
New MP for Faasaleleaga number 2, Namulau'ulu Sami Leota, on the left with Prime Minister and HRPP leader, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. On the right is unsucessful ruling party candidate, Papalii Li'o Ta'eu Masipa'u. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Tipi Autagavaia
One of the party's two candidates, and former Manu Samoa rugby team manager, Namulau'ulu Sami Leota, has secured a win with a landslide victory with the total of 1,208 votes in the official count.
The other HRPP candidate and a former opposition Tautua Samoa party MP, Papalii Li'o Ta'eu Masipa'u, came third with 564 votes while the independent candidate whose father held the seat before he passed away in January, Maileimalo Eneliko Pa'u, came second with 685 votes.
The Samoa First party candidate, Lema'i Faioso Sione, came fourth with only 14 votes.
The Electoral office said a there was a good turnout in the by-election with 2,471 voters casting votes out of 3,487 who were registered.
It means 1, 016 electors will be charged under the Electoral Act for not exercising their rights to vote.
The new MP will be sworn in the next sitting of Parliament scheduled for 28 May.