A Samoan law lecturer at Auckland University, Fuimaono Dylan Asafo, has looked at the questions surrounding the Samoa election stalemate, and offered these opinions on questions put to him by RNZ Pacific.
Fuimaono is a law lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland and holds a Master of Laws from Harvard University and a Master of Laws (First Class Honours) from the University of Auckland.
Dr Asafo in your view is the addition of a 6th woman to parliament unconstitutional?
It s important to note that the confusion and controversy around the constitutionality of the Office of the Electoral Commission s activation of Article 44(1A) of the Constitution stems from the fact that the relevant provisions were poorly drafted.
With votes of just one district still to be recounted, the Electoral Commissioner says there are no changes in the results of Samoa s general elections.
Today the ballots for the remaining constituencies, bar one, on Savai i have been recounted and all those declared winners last Friday have retained their victories.
The parliament, in that poll, was split evenly with the new FAST party and the incumbent HRPP both taking 25.
There is one independent.
Samoa Parliament
Photo: RNZ Pacific
The margin in the Sakega electorate was reduced to six from 13 but FAST member Fepulea i Fasavalu Faimata held the HRPP incumbent To omata Aki Tuileama.
Our correspondent reports the police presence was heavy at the polling places from the 8am opening.
On Savaii island voter turnout was heavy in the morning.
At Utulua, Asau, one of the chiefs, Masoe, said that voters cast ballots in the morning then go home and do their chores, like any other day.
Asked what he based his vote on, he said he voted for a stable and experienced government, one that has the interests of all of Samoa at heart.
Samoa Parliament
Photo: RNZ Pacific
He conceded he was surprised that government ministers were shaky after the pre polling.