By Lagi Keresoma
Copyright talamua
By Lagi Keresoma/
Apia, Samoa – 10 September 2025: Independent candidate Fiu Faaolatane Ponisfasio Vasa has retained the Palauli 2 constituency seat after the court recount last night confirmed his lead by two votes. It is the first of eleven recounts now progressing in District court ahead of the 18th Parliament swearing in next Tuesday.
Fiu led by one vote in the official count and declared duly elected by the Head of State last Friday but the other Independent candidate who came second, Faaolatane Fiu Tuala Iona applied for a recount.
Both registered as Independents but actively participated in the FAST campaign before and after the elections and the winner is counted by the FAST Party as one of their 31 seats.
Court did not order recounts
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Courts Administration and Court Registrar, Papalii John Taimalelagi corrected a newspaper report that the Court does not have the authority to order a recount but the process for a recount depends on a request or application for a recount by a candidate.
“We then assess the request and based our decision to approve or not to call a recount on the factor that the person applying was a candidate in the election and that the application was filed within the timeframe,” Papalii said.
He clarified that applications for a recount should be filed 3 days after the official result of the election is declared.
“The official result was declared Friday 5th September and yesterday (Sunday) was the last day for applications for a recount,” said Papalii.
All ballot boxes and information pertaining to the districts involved in the recount will be handed over by the Electoral Commissioner to the Court.
Papalii said after the recount and if there are any changes, the Court will issue an order to the Electoral Commissioner who will inform the Head of State for his endorsement of the changes.
11 HRPP recount applications
Papalii also confirmed that of the 11 recount applications, the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has 10 and 01 from the Independent candidates.
The process of the recount is similar to the process conducted in the official count by the Office of the Electoral Commission.
“The only difference is that the recount is conducted before a Judge of the District Court and the result to be declared before Parliament convenes next week,” Papalii explained.
There are also strict rules under the Electoral Act 2019 that guides the recount which specify that the only people allowed during the recount is the Judge, Electoral Commissioner, 1 scrutineer for the applicant and 1 scrutineer for the respondent.
The media are now allowed inside during the recounts.
Recount applicants
Applicant: Fa’aolatane Fiu Tuala Pao (Independent) against Fiu Faaolatane Ponifasio Vasa (Independent) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Talasa Atoa Saaga presides over the recount today.
Alataua Sisifo
Applicant: Aliimalemanu Moti Alofa Tuuau (HRPP) against Taituave Lafaitele Valoaga Taaitiiti Iona (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Leota Raymond Schuster on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
Aiga I le Tai
Applicant: Mulipola Leiataualesa Laki (HRPP) against Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua Mulipola (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Talasa Atoa Saaga on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
Aleipata Itupa I luga
Applicant: Fuaava Saumalu Suluimalo Amataga Penaia (HRPP) against Taufua Edmund Taufua (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Alalatoa Rosela Papalii on Wednesday 10 September 2025
Faasaleleaga 1
Applicant: Pipi Pauli Tevita Tariu Sinapati (HRPP) against Leatigaga Matafai Lauila Iiga (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Leota Raymond Schuster on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
Gagaifomauga 2
Applicant: Tologataua Sooalo Sioeli Alofaifo Lamese against Foisala Lilo Tuu Ioane (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Alalatoa Rosela Papalii on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
Aana Alofi 2
Applicant: Aiono Tile Gafa (HRPP) against Aiono Alec Ekeroma (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Alalatoa Rosela Papalii on Thursday 11 September 2025.
Faasaleleaga 5
Applicant: Peseta Vaifou Tevagaaena (HRPP) against Vui Sione Iiga (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Leota Raymond Schuster on Thursday 11 September 2025.
Applicant: Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell (HRPP) against Asiata Tavu’I Tafu Salevao (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Alalatoa Rosela Papalii on Thursday 11 September 2025.
Applicant: Tuala Oliveti Ah Him (HRPP) against Sala Paulo Tuala Poto (FAST) and the Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding over the recount on Thursday 11 September 2025 is Judge Saaga.
Aana Alofi 3
Applicant: Niuapu Alofaiva Faaui 11 Leiataualesa (HRPP) against Agaseata Tanuvasa Valelio Peto (FAST) and Electoral Commissioner.
Presiding Judge – Leota Raymond Schuster on Thursday 11 September 2025.
