Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Hundreds could face prosecution for voting twice in Samoa poll

Posted at 08:26 on 03 May, 2006 UTC

Nearly three hundred people who voted more than once in Samoa’s general election last month may be prosecuted under the Electoral Act.

The Electoral Commissioner, Tanuvasa Isitolo Lemisio, says 286 registered voters had been found in breach of the act, by voting twice.

Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia reports from Apia.

“The highest number of 29 dual voters were found in the result of Faleata West constituency, where one of the youngest members of parliament had defeated the former minister of police. If convicted in court, according to the electoral commissioner, they could be facing a jail sentence, a fine or both penalities. He wouldn’t say how the unlawful act had occurred during the election, but he thinks the voters were able to get through without noticing by his staff. The Electoral Commissioner is facing corrupt practices allegation in some of the election petitions to be heard in court this week.”