His Highness the Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II has addressed the nation this evening regarding the ongoing election deadlock between the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party who both have 26 seats and are unable to form the 17th Parliament for Samoa.
Tuimalealiifano says he has been observing with particular care, interest, and concern the events that have followed after polling day. He has been notified that there are currently 28 petitions filed by candidates seeking to question the 2021 general election results. He adds given that this process started today, he believes the cases would not be resolved before the end of the 2020/2021 financial year in June, making it impossible to fund government services.
He sought advice that as Head of State he is “able to call fresh elections where, after a general election, there is no clear majority to form a government” and decided that calling for a new general election is in the best interest of the public.
The new election has been called for Friday 21st May 2021. He has directed the Office of the Electoral Commission to start the process to inform the public.
Image credit: Government of Samoa/Facebook