2022 Gagaʻifomauga 2 by-election

A by-election was held in the Gagaʻifomauga 2 constituency in Samoa on 3 June 2022.[1][2] It was won by Independent politician Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane.[3]

2022 Gagaʻifomauga 2 by-election

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 First partySecond party
 
CandidateFoʻisala Lilo Tuʻu IoaneSoʻoalo Fineaso Poka
PartyIndependentHRPP
Popular vote441380
Percentage32.26%27.80%

 Third partyFourth party
 
CandidateFalesaopule Vaialia IosuaLomia Tauloa Moafanua Siaaga
PartyIndependentFAST
Popular vote287259
Percentage20.99%18.95%

MP before election

Vaʻele Paʻiaʻaua Iona Sekuini
FAST

Elected MP

Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane
Independent

The by-election was triggered by the death of the incumbent member of parliament (MP) Vaʻele Paʻiaʻaua Iona Sekuini of the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, in March 2022.[4][5] Originally five members were expected to contest the seat: Two members of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene, a former associate minister of justice who previously represented the constituency from 2011 to 2021, and Soʻoalo Fineaso Poka. A single member of FAST, Lomia Tauloa Moafanua Siaaga, filed his candidacy. The remaining candidates consist of Independents Falesaopule Vaialia Iosua and Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane.[6] On 19 May 2022 Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene withdrew his candidacy to support Sooalo Fineaso Poka.[7]

Conduct

Pre polling commenced on 1 June.[8] Voting began on 3 June, with a total of roll 2,031 registered voters. Polls closed at 3pm (UTC+13:00), where a preliminary tally commenced. An official count took place the following day.[9]

Campaign

Falesaopule Vaialia Iosua

Falesaopule Vaialia Iosua, a former public servant who previously served as the assistant chief executive officer of the women's ministry, announced that he intended to address social inequality. Falesaopule, who also served in the ministries of health and education, sports, and culture, has promised to focus on improving access to water, education, and roads, to which he stated he would "fight for the roads in my district to be fixed should I succeed, some of the villages in my constituency have been waiting for years but to no success," On gender equality, he announced that he wants to enhance "economic women empowerment". Falesaopule also intends to increase efforts to decrease youth unemployment, which he said can potentially become disastrous for the constituency due to the relatively easy access these individuals have to alcohol. He said a prime focus would be to help vulnerable families, including individuals with disabilities.[10]

Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane

Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane, a farmer, and businessman filed his candidacy for the seat as an Independent. He wanted to contest the constituency in the 2021 general election but opted out for personal reasons. Foʻisala said that he filed his candidacy for the by-election due to the encouragement from members of his village of Lefagaoaliʻi and pressure from the village elders. He originally intended to run as a FAST member but opted to run as an independent when the party endorsed FAST contender Lomia Tauloa Moafanua. Foʻisala announced that he would join FAST if victorious. He stated that he is a 'man who makes no promises' and supports the manifesto of FAST. Foʻisala also expressed that he intends to implement policies proposed by FAST and said, "...the late M.P., Vaele had already cut the pieces of the cake for this constituency…so all that's left to do is for someone to step up and distribute it to the constituents".[11]

Endorsements

Lomia Tauloa Moafanua Siaaga (FAST)
Soʻoalo Fineaso Poka (HRPP)
Executive officials

Results

Early results indicated an inconclusive race and showed Foʻisala having a slim lead over the HRPP's Soʻoalo.[13][14] Final results showed Foʻisala winning by over 60 votes.[3]

CandidatePartyVotes%
Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu IoaneIndependent44132.26
Soʻoalo Fineaso PokaHuman Rights Protection Party38027.80
Falesaopule Vaialia IosuaIndependent28720.99
Lomia Tauloa Moafanua SiaagaFaʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi25918.95
Total1,367100.00
Valid votes1,36799.85
Invalid/blank votes20.15
Total votes1,369100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,03167.41
Source: Samoa Global News[15]

References