A woman who challenged Samoa’s Speaker of the House has been elected to Samoa’s Parliament under legislation that was passed to ensure more women representation in Parliament.
Fa’aulusao Rosa Duffy Stowers had the highest number of votes of all athe women candidates who ran in the March 5 elections to elect 49 members of Parliament.
Acting Electoral Commissioner Faimalōmatua Mathew Lemisio confirmed that Fa’aulusao is the 50th Member of Parliament.
She and Laaulialemalietoa Leauatea Polataivao will be the two MP’s for Gagaifomauga No. 3.
Fa’aulusao is an accountant by profession and is a widow with 8 children.
During the recounting of votes another cabinet minister lost his seat.
Faamoetauloa Lealaiauloto Tumaali’i,, who was minister of Environment and Natural Resources was unseated by another HRPP candidate , former Assistant Police Commissioner Nafo’itoa Tala’imanu Keti.
Other cabinet ministers who lost at the polls on election night include the Minister of Works Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala, the Minister of Information Technology Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, Minister of Education Magele Mauiliu and the Minister of Women’s Affairs Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua.
Samoa media report that Parliament is to meet next Friday, Samoa time.
That is when the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister will be officially elected, the Speaker of Parliament will be voted in and the Prime Minister will appoint his cabinet.
