Double voting in Samoan election

WELLINGTON: The Office of the Electoral Commission in Samoa has confirmed that dozens of voters voted twice in last week's elections.

The Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio said they would face legal action.

Double voting surfaced during the official count for Sagaga 2 constituency that started Tuesday and was put on hold as officials examined the issue.

The Office said there were 39 instances of double voting. It is thought those people voted in last Friday's election after casting their vote in prepolls that ran in the four days prior.

Provisional results indicate the caretaker Human Rights Protection Party (or HRPP) is neckandneck with newcomer Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (or FAST) party on 25 seats each. An independent MP, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, has also won a seat.

After three days of the official count, the Commissioner confirmed that the provisional result has not changed.