In Samoa, nine cases have been filed in court questioning the eligibility of some election candidates.
A record 171 candidates have registered for the March 5 electrions, many of them women.
Two candidates who are well known to American Samoa are Salausa Dr. John Ah Ching, who was an OBGyn physician at LBJ Hospital for about 20 years and female fautasi skipper Vaimasenuu Zita Martel.
The opposition Tautua Samoa Party has 26 sworn candidates for the election and 20 running as independents.
The nine challenges are:
- Tuilaepa Lupesoli’ai Sailele Malielegaoi vs Tu’ula Kiliri Lafi Tuitui.
- Tuisugaletaua Maposua Aliimalemanu Sofara Aveau vs Fuatimau Mamea Leniu, and Acting Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatua Mathew Lemisio.
- La’auli Polataivao Leuatea vs Faaulusau Rosa Duffy Stowers.
- Seuoti Sheryl Fialuma Muagututia vs Acting Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatua Mathew Lemisio and Semau Faamau Levi.
- Faumuina Tiatia Liugavs Le Tagaloa Pita and Tiatia Mapesone Malo.
- Amituanai Fagaivalu Kenrick /Alii ma Faipule of Lalomanu vs Leo’o Tautalatasi Adams and the Electoral Commissioner.
- Amituanai Fagaivalu Kenrick vs Taula Faulaau
- Alii ma Faipule of Solosolo vs Leota Leuluaialii Ituau Ale and the Electoral Commissioner
The first case which was called on Monday, is between the caretaker minister of justice and long time MP for Lotofaga constituency, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, against the Tautua Samoa party candidate, Fiaola Iosua.
