The Tautua Samoa Party has started campaigning calling on Samoans, both local and overseas, to support the party following the declaration of a second election to be held this month.

“The Tautua Party cannot with confidence say that we believe the [results of the] April elections," the party said in a Friday afternoon statement. 

“Under our current leader,  Afualo Dr. Wood Salele, Tautua Samoa had bold plans to introduce new policies that would include economic development, particularly in the agricultural sector, and public service reform to name a few.”

The results of the 9 April election were a disappointment for Tautua Samoa, the party said. 

“The most important reason for our disappointment was the defeat we suffered despite abiding by the law in order to ensure free and fair elections are held,” the statement said. 

“This was sadly not the case.”

The party also took the opportunity to thank its supporters, local and overseas, for their continued support for the party in the decade since it was first founded in 2008.

Last month Afualo called for another general election to be held in light of Samoa's two major political parties now being in a 26-seat deadlock. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer at the time, the party leader said it is now obvious that the country will have a hung Parliament and the decision on who forms Government should be returned back to the voters.

“It’s evident it will be a hung Parliament with the numbers and it is only fair that there should be a re-election and the voters should go back to the polling stations,” he said. 

According to the press statement, the Tautua Party cannot with confidence say they believe the April elections were, as a whole, held freely and fairly, without misconduct. 

“That is to say simply, we have evidence that suggests votes were bought in a number of districts with parties committing serious crimes punishable by law,” the statement said. 

“While these are heavy allegations, the Tautua Party and your humble Candidates understand the political landscape and nature of politics which can place heavy burdens on candidates of all parties to win at all cost. And for that, we have sympathy.

“Now that the Head of State, his Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II has declared the April General Elections void, we believe Samoa has a chance to once again, head to the polls and vote in what should be free and fair elections for all.

“We cannot stress enough on the importance of your decision - the importance of your vote.

“In less than a year, we have seen our country divided by two powerful Parties who refuse to collaborate and work together for the betterment of Samoa. 

“Our question for our people is this:

“Are these the people we want leading our Government for the next five years?

“If Tautua Samoa's legacy is to be one of defeat, then let it be remembered that over the last thirteen years, Tautua Samoa has lost with the same ethics it has also won by, and that it by refusing to be bullied into playing dirty political tactics which appear to be the norm.”