The Human Rights Protection Party's (H.R.P.P.) elected member has cemented Lupematasila Tologata Tile has cemented his hold on the seat of Samatau and Falelatai after facing a legal challenge. 

The electoral petition against the M.P.-elect was withdrawn earlier this week, before Supreme Court Justices, Lesatele Rapi Vaai and Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma.

The seat's unsuccessful candidate, Pa’u Dr. Roy Ausage, had filed a petition against Tologata on charges of bribery.  

In response, a counter petition was filed, alleging that Pa’u himself had engaged in bribery and that a Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party roadshow in Mulifanua prior to polling day broke electoral regulations. 

Pa’u was represented by lawyer, Muriel Lui while the H.R.P.P. candidate, Tologata, was represented by Aumua Ming Leung Wai and Lucy Sio-Ofoia.

The H.R.P.P. candidate and former Electric Power Corporation chief, Lupematasila's counter-petition was allowed by the Supreme Court last Friday despite being filed outside of time limits.

On Saturday, Lupematasila advertised his response to the petition filed by the F.A.S.T. candidate strongly denying all allegations of corrupt conduct levelled against him and seeking to dismiss Pau’s petition.

In response to the petitioner’s allegations, Lupematasila in turn alleged that Pa’u or his agents were guilty of corrupt practice including five counts of bribery and one count of treating.

Lupematasila alleged that sometime in March at Siufaga Felatai, the petitioner gave $1000 to a group of voters of the Catholic Church of Siufaga Falelatai in the presence of Samatau and Falelatai eligible voter, Taefu Fiauu who received $50 from the monies handed over by Pa’u.

He further alleged that Pa’u personally gave $100 to a Samatau and Falelatai eligible voter, Lani Tumailelei, for the purposes of inducing her vote, sometime in March.

At about or on April 6, Lupematasila alleged that Pa’u or his agents, at Pata Falelatai, gave $200 to another Samatau and Falelatai voter, Roseta Taii Lotolelei, and told her to vote for him.

Similarly, on or about April 7, Lupematasila claimed that Pa’u or his agents at Siufaga Falelatai gave $100 and $20 to eligible voters, Levi Pasi and Asalele Suavaga, respectively, for the purposes of inducement. 

The one allegation of treating against Pa’u was the provision of food to a group of voters in the presence of an eligible voter, Maselusi Tafa, for the purpose of allegedly corruptly influencing the voter. 

The lawyers were called into the chambers twice on Friday morning.

The final election results recorded Lupematasila securing the seat with 1008 votes, with second-run Pau securing 851.

The constituency on the southwest coast of Upolu is made up of Falevai, Levi, Matanofo, Matautu, Nefunefu, Pata, Samatau, Siufaga and Samai.