Pacific

New Samoa woman MP faces election petition

16:06 pm on 2 October 2006

Samoa's one-week old by-election result that gave the seat to the daughter of a former MP will be challenged again in an election petition filed in court over the week-end.

The first time woman MP for Fa'asalele'aga number two constituency, Letoa Rita Pa'u Chang, is facing allegations of bribery and treating in an election petition lodged by the runner up candidate, Papali'i Samuelu Petaia.

Before the by-election, Papali'i had accused the former MP, Pa'u Sefo Pa'u, and his daughter of giving money to several organisations in his village of Sapapali'i days before the constituency went to the polls.

The former MP's parliamentary seat was declared void when he was found guilty of bribery and treating.