Electoral officials for the Samoa snap general 2025 Photo: RNZ/Mark Papalii
Nearly five months after Samoa's general elections, the Safata I constituency will go to the polls in early February.
Tuiafelolo John Stanley, Samoa's Electoral Commissioner, confirmed pre-polling on 4 February and polling day on 6 February.
The by-election follows a ruling by the Supreme Court that declared the August 2025 election in the district void.
The court decision came after election petitions were filed against former MP and Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Seve Tei Fuimaono, a member of the ruling Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party.
Her opponent, Leaana Ronnie Posini, from the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), challenged the result, alleging corrupt practices under the Electoral Act 2019.
The Samoa Observer reports that in November 2025, the Supreme Court found Seve guilty of six counts of corrupt practices, which under the Electoral Act voided her election.
The court also upheld Seve's counter-petition against Leaana, who was found guilty of 14 counts of corrupt practices.
Under the Act, candidates convicted of such offences are disqualified from standing in elections for 10 years. This means neither Seve nor Leaana is eligible for the upcoming by-election.
Commissioner Tuiafelolo told Radio Samoa that the voter roll for the 29 August general election, which recorded just over 2000 eligible voters, will be used for the by-election.
At the August election, Seve received 949 votes while Leaana secured 807.
The nomination period for candidates opens and closes on 16 January, with official vote counting scheduled for 7 February and final results expected on 9 February.
Commissioner Tuiafelolo confirmed the Electoral Commission will administer the by-election without additional external assistance.
Seve's removal from Parliament has also affected the gender balance in the Legislative Assembly.
There are now four women MPs, two fewer than the constitutional minimum of six. The remaining female MPS are former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo, Aeau Tima Leavai, and Afamasaga Leone Masami.
Tuiafelolo says the additional women's seats provided for under Article 44 of the Constitution will only be activated once all election petitions and resulting by-elections are resolved.
The measure is intended to ensure certainty around the final seat numbers before supplementary women's representation is applied. This means the full complement of women MPs may not be restored until after the pending Falealili I petition process concludes.
Safata I is one of two constituencies in the Safata district on Upolu. The area has recently drawn national attention as the site of the sunken New Zealand Navy vessel, Manawanui.
The specialist diving and hydrographic vessel ran aground on a reef on 6 October 2024. It caught fire and capsized. All 75 people aboard were safely evacuated before the vessel sank.
The Supreme Court ruling and upcoming by-election underline Samoa's legal and constitutional procedures for maintaining electoral integrity.
Officials emphasise that the process is being conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act 2019, with strict timelines, voter eligibility checks, and clear rules to ensure a fair election.
- PMN