Sāmoa by-election set for February after court voids result in Safata I

Nearly five months after Sāmoa’s general elections, the Safata I constituency will go to the polls in early February.

Tuiafelolo John Stanley, Sāmoa’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 Sāmoa 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 Sāmoa 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.

Safata I opponents (L-R), Leaana Ronnie Posini and Seve Tei Anapu, outside of the Supreme Court in Samoa in November 2025. Photo/TV1 Samoa Live/Facebook

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 Sāmoa that the voter roll for the 29 August general election, which recorded just over 2000 eligible voters, will be used for the by-election.

After winning the 29 August election for the Safata I seat, Seve Tei Anapu was chosen as the new Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, a post she held until November 2025. Photo/MNRE/Facebook

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 Fiamē 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.

Watch the Electoral Commission's press conference below, announcing the Safata I by-election (Sāmoan)

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 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 Sāmoa’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.