The former Member of Parliament for Vaimauga No. 3, Taioaliiseu Fiti Aimaasu, resigned from Parliament on Tuesday to join the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party, while two new members were sworn in to the House.

His resignation triggers a by-election in the Vaimauga No. 3 constituency, which Taioaliiseu said he will contest under the FAST banner.

Speaking in Parliament, Taioaliiseu acknowledged the difficulty of stepping down from his seat and said, "It is not easy", but he is ready to serve again through the FAST party.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa spoke after Taioaliiseu's speech and accepted him into the FAST party.

In January, the re-elected Member of Parliament for Vaisigano No. 2, Motuopua’a Henny Papalii, resigned from Parliament as an independent and joined the FAST Party.

During Tuesday’s sitting, Motuopua’a was officially sworn in again as a member of Parliament for his district. Tunumafono Clare Tai Tin, who won the by-election for Safata No. 1, was also sworn in during the same ceremony.

Both Motuopua’a and Tunumafono took their oaths of office before Parliament, marking their formal entry into the House.

Taioaliiseu’s resignation means voters in Vaimauga No. 3 will again head to the polls to elect their representative. He is expected to contest the by-election representing the FAST Party.

With Taioaliiseu’s departure from the House, the seat for Vaimauga No. 3 is now vacant pending the outcome of the upcoming by-election.