A Member of Parliament yesterday invited a by-election.
Faleata West’s Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi insists on being called a “Tautua Samoa Party MP.”

Under law changes governing allegiance of politicians this provides the Speaker and Government with ammunition to end his term as an MP  – by initiating a by-election in Faleata West.

But Lealailepule said he isn’t worried. He’s Tautua party through and through and he can’t be otherwise, he said.
“I’m not going to detach myself from Tautua,” said Lealailepule.
“Because I’m not going to lie to anybody.

“Everybody knows I’m going to run under the banner of Tautua party in the next elections.
“And if it means I’m going to go through a by-election, so be it.”

Tautua Samoa Party was registered at the Office of the Electoral Commissioner last Friday.
An amendment to the Electoral Act says an MP’s seat becomes vacant “If a Member of Parliament holds himself or herself out during his or her term of office as representing or being a member of:

(i)    A party or organisation that has political aims and is desirous of taking part in an election where such party or organisation is not registered as a political party under this Act; or

(ii)    A registered political party other than the registered political party of which he or she is a member when he or she takes the oath of allegiance.”
Another amendment covering political allegiance is also in the act.

It says an MP who takes the oath of allegiance as an independent, “remains an independent during the term for which the candidate was so elected.”
If not the MP becomes disqualified to remain in Parliament.
Lealailepule is officially an Independent in Parliament.

He and other Independents joined to create, with other supporters outside Parliament, Tautua Samoa Party December last year.
To avoid by-elections however they did not register their party at the Electoral Commissioner’s office.
But the MPs identified themselves as members of Tautua party.

Anonymous wrote:

---

 

MPs to take poll Act change to court

 

 

Two members of the Opposition are to take court action against a change to the Constitution.

Speaking of the Constitution Amendment Bill 2009, which takes effect next year, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi said, “We can’t let this go through without a challenge in court."
It was passed by the HRPP-dominated Parliament recently.

 

“We have to take this matter to court for clarification,” Lealailepule said, referring to himself and fellow supporter of Tautua Samoa Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II.They have instructed their lawyer to prepare a case against the change to the Constitution, he said.

The change to the Constitution means an MP loses a seat “where the Member holds himself or herself out to be a member or a representative of –

(i) a party or organisation that has political aims and is desirous of taking part in an election where such party or organisation is not registered as a political party under an Act; or
(ii) a political party other than the political party of which he or she is a member.”

 

---

About time someone challenged these illegal amendments to the constitution.  You cant just change the constitution without a referendum vote.  Thats prohibited by the constitution under section 109.  The people have to vote and 2/3 majority apporve before an amendment can be signed into law.  So all these phony amendments need to be challenged and set aside.