Several newcomers to Samoa's political arena made impressive showings when early ballots were counted on the first two days of pre-polling.   
 
In several electoral constituencies, among them Vaimauga No.4, Faleata No.1 and Gagaemauga No.1, the newcomers have been leading the race for a seat in Parliament, according to preliminary pre-polling for the 2021 Samoa General Election.
 
In Vaimauga No.4, attorney Faualo Harry Schuster, who is running as a candidate for the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) political party, came back with the most ballots on Day 1 and Day 2. He collected 29 on Day 1 (Monday) and 28 on Day 2 (Tuesday), for a total of 57 votes so far.
 
The incumbent and caretaker Minister for Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA) Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu, has had a lacklustre start, picking up 36 votes over the two days - 17 on Day 1 and 19 on Day 2.   
 
Faaolesa and two of his fellow Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) political party members are contesting the seat with Faualo.
 
HRPP candidates Vaea Ivana Eli and Maugaoalii Faamanu Mualia were at 13 votes apiece when results were posted by the Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC) on Tuesday evening, collecting the same number of votes on both days eight on Day 1 and five on Day 2.  
 
In Faleata No.1, former National Football League (NFL) player and businessman Leapai Richard Brown has held the lead for two days. When results were posted Monday evening for Day 1, Leapai had 61 votes, followed by Salausa Dr John Ah Ching with 46 votes.   
 
By Tuesday evening, after Day 2, Leapai was still in the lead with 91 votes after picking up another 30 votes on Tuesday. Thirty-one votes were cast in favour of Salausa on Tuesday giving him 76 votes total after Day 2.  
 
Leapai and Salausa are running under the ruling party (HRPP) banner. There are two additional party members contesting the same seat: Lepou Petelo II and Manuleleua Ioane K. Manuleleua. Lepou collected six votes as of Tuesday and Manuleleua Ioane collected 13. The fifth candidate running for the Faleata No.1 seat is Manuleleua Paletasala T. Tovale, as a FAST member, who snagged 63 votes over two days.   
 
In Gagaemauga No.1 in Savai'i, results from Day 1 saw Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio emerge as the only independent candidate to lead in any of the individual electoral constituency races. Tuala garnered a total of 26 votes on Day 1 (Monday) - 12 from Upolu and 14 from Savai'i. On Day 2 (Tuesday), he picked up five votes in Upolu and three in Savai'i for a total of 34 after two days of early balloting and held onto the lead through Tuesday.  
 
Contesting for the same seat is HRPP candidate Laufou Alofipo Manase who collected 21 votes by Tuesday evening and Vaaaoao Salumalo Alofipo, a FAST candidate who collected 10 votes after two days of pre-polling.
 
Pre-polling continues through to Thursday, before polling opens up for the general voting population on Friday.

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS

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