Ballot boxes for the 2021 elections. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Tipi Autagavaia
With less than nine weeks left until Samoa's early election, several senior public servants are throwing their hats in the ring.
One of the higher profile nominees so far is Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, the director general and chief executive of the Ministry of Health in Samoa.
In a recent statement, the Ministry of Health announced Aiono had submitted his resignation effective 30 June in order to contest Samoa's general election on August 29.
It comes six months before the end of his three-year contract.
He assumed the role in 2022 having previously held the position of Vice Chancellor at the National University of Samoa.
The statement said Aiono had intended to serve out his full contract but the early date for the national election, orginally scheduled to take place next year, prompted his premature departure.
Aiono, who submitted his four weeks' notice on the 30th of May, said he leaves with a heavy heart but has confidence in the team's capability.
He said he will be standing under the FAST banner.
Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma (file image) Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tipi Autagavaia
"Sometimes you push and push, but certain things don't get done, so I thought that I will throw my hat in the ring and try to push from a different angle," Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma said.
"And hopefully, when I'm in parliament and I can have the influence to get things done and make things happen and then some of the projects and programs that we're looking at could actually move a little bit faster."
Aiono said he chose to run under the banner of the FAST because there is strong support for the party in his electorate.
"My electorate as you know its a HRPP electorate for the past two, three, four, five parliament sessions. But I've decided really that there's an incumbent in the HRPP (Human Rights Protection Party) seat and therefore I thought of running for the FAST party," he said.
Aiono had faced some criticism online since making his intention to contest in the election public.
Some of the critics even questioned his eligibility to contest alleging he had not lived in Samoa for the past three years consecutively which is a requirement under the electoral act.
Aiono insists he is eligible.
"I am eligible, I've checked all the requirements, I've looked up my passport because I need to have the time in the country which is three years, and they've all checked out."
"It's something all candidates will have to do (to prove) I don't know why this Journalist targeted me, but we and I need to remember that when we post something online we still represent the profession." Aiono said.
Joining Aiono is High-profile public servant Land and Titles Court Judge Faumuina Leilua Opapo Soani who is awaits a warrant from head of state Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II.
Speaking to local media last week he said he was waiting on approval from the head of state.
"We are under a special Commission under the Ministry of Justice and we will wait for a warrant from the Head of State to make our resignations official as LTC Judges,."
"The deadline for nominees is on July 12, and by that time, the warrant should be issued by the Head of State," said Faumuina who is one of at least two nominees from the judiciary reported to be entering the election race.
Under the HRPP (Human Rights Protection Party), Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei, a well-known public figure, who last served as the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
He was terminated in 2021 by the Speaker of the House, Papalii Li'o Ta'eu Masipa'u who provided no details of the grounds for his suspension at the time.
Tiatia addressed local media at the HRPP headquarters, following an introduction by his village council and supporters.
He expressed his desire to seize this opportunity to serve his constituency.
"I will make sure to voice the concerns and the needs of these people in parliament," Tiatia said.
"These developments include health, education, employment opportunities for youth and better roads."
Tiatia is competing for the Vaimauga No.4 seat against caretaker Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster, and former Minister of Justice Faaolasa Katopau Ainu'u.
Faaolasa, is intending to contest under the newly established Samoa Labour Party campaigning on economic reform and welfare of families.
Party secretary Su'a Tanielu Su'a told local media at a recent launch event 14 individuals are interested in running under the SLP banner.
Faaolasa Katopau Ainu'u said they decided to create their own party because they felt the Human Rights Protection Party no longer needed them.
"That is the decision from the HRPP executive to pick their candidates, and I don't think we are needed there anymore and believe they will be in a much better boat with someone else." said Faaolesa.
A break away faction of the FAST Party led by care taker prime minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa have also set up a new party called Samoa Uniting Party.
Its membership at creation consisted of 14 breakaway FAST MPs and a former HRPP candidate Maulolo Tavita Amosa.
Speaking at the SUP party launch Caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa said out of tragedy something new and important has been born.
"Let us talk about now and not remain in the past, but the situation on where we stand and our duties in cabinet remain, it is the door as to why we are here through our constituencies.
"The 15 of us, 14 Ministers and 1 Faleomavaega [a former minister] who did the right thing due to an incident and resigned.
"The question is why do we want this party? The answer is a no brainer, we want to keep on the work we promised we would do from the dissolution, due to the budget failing of to pass.
Requirements for candidates
According to the Samoa Electoral Act in order to be eligible to run as a candidate in the election a person has to be a citizen of Samoa, a registered voter and hold a Matai title registered before lodgement day.
They also have to have lived in Samoa for three consecutive years up to lodgement day (this is the day a person lodges their nomination paper).
Another unique requirement is the person has to have rendered Monotaga - which is defined as services to a village within the constituency they are intending to run as a candidate for.
A person is disqualified from contesting if they do not meet the above requirements.
And also if they have been convicted, in Samoa or any other country within the previous eight years, of an offence punishable by death or imprisonment for a term of four years or more.
Samoa political parties
According to the Samoa Electoral Commission Office there are seven political parties registered to contest the 29 August election.
In alphabetical order they are:
- Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST)
- Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP)
- Samoa Democratic Republic Party (SDRP)
- Samoa Labour Party (SLP )
- Samoa National Democratic Party (SNDP)
- Samoa Uniting Party (SUP)
- Tumua ma Pule Republic Reform Party (TPRRP)
Left to right: FAST Party chairman La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Photo: RNZ Pacific/123RF/Samoa Government/FAST Party
How Samoa got here
The political turmoil in the country began in January, leading Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa to confront two votes of no confidence; the first occurred on February 25, followed by the second on March 6.
Last month, she admitted defeat when her government's budget was rejected finally opting to dissolve parliament.
The Parliament was officially dissolved on June 3, and as of last week, dates were officially confirmed for the upcoming elections.
A pre-polling day for the elections will be on the 27 August, with the elections to follow on 29 August.
The electoral roll will close on 4 July, with voter registrations needing to be completed by 3 July.
All candidate nominations will close between the 7 and 12 of July.
