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AG to directors: “Our job is to let people exercise their right to vote” for whomever they want

Urges for a peaceful and safe Election Day
fili@samoanews.com

An individual’s right to exercise his or her vote for the candidate of their choosing and the banning of giving out free lunch plates — including the famous Samoan barbeque plates — on election day when polls are opened are some of the election issues covered in a presentation by Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting at the Agriculture Department’s conference room.

The presentation was requested by Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga so that directors are again reminded and made fully aware of the rights of individuals to vote for their chosen candidate as well as election laws on Election Day.

“One of our prime responsibilities as leaders is to make sure that we protect the rights of every individual that resides in American Samoa. We are bound by our constitution to protect the rights of our people,” the governor reminded directors.

However, Lolo said that what is seen is that many times, the “media misconstrue” the work of directors and then claim the work done by directors involves politics or its of political nature. He says the most important message is to protect the rights of every individual. The governor didn’t elaborate on what the media misconstrued.

While it’s up to the media what they report, Lolo emphasized to cabinet directors, the one most important issue is that “our prime responsibility is to protect the rights of each individual” and not to interfere with their right to choose their candidate.

In his presentation, Talauega explained that an individual’s rights with respect to the election, is that an “eligible voter has the right to vote, has the right to express his desire to vote, has the right to express who he supports in an election.”

“So as government leaders, we should do our best to protect the individual rights of people who work with us and under us to be able to exercise their right to vote,” he said, adding, “and their right to campaign for who they want to vote.”

“But remember, the law doesn’t allow them to do campaigning within the office, and …the use of government property,” he said and, “make sure that... if you see them wave for the opposing party, don’t make them feel bad about it or try to force them to change their ways. That’s not our job. Our job is to let people exercise their right to vote.”

Regarding campaign law, which bans the giving out of free food plates including BBQ plates on Election Day, when polling stations are opened, Talauega said he has previously shared details with directors early this year. He reiterated that the law is clear — on Election Day giving of free food is banned.

Also on Election Day, around the polling station areas, there are a number of things under the law, which are prohibited. For example, “you can’t go out there with your stereo and dance with a [campaign] sign of your favorite candidate — that should be a quiet place where the person who wants to vote can go and make his decision to vote.”

These laws and the rights cited in the constitution, all come “down to one simple thing and that is respect. Respect your neighbors’ right to exercise their freedoms. As long as they’re exercising their freedom within the contours of the law we should be okay with that,” he stressed to directors.

“In fact it should be our duty to make sure that they exercise those rights because that’s the essence of our form of government — it’s free democracy — people expressing their rights,” Talauega pointed out.

And if cabinet members witness problems or other possible violations of the law on Election Day, Talauega suggested to write the information down for the authorities, but “don’t confront” the alleged violators because “you don’t know the state of mind the people are in” as it could cause more problems. He urged for a peaceful and safe Election Day.

Also during the cabinet meeting, chief election officer Uiagalelei Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei provided an update on election preparations and requested the help of departments.

He said he has already met with Samoan Affairs because of the needed support of village pulenu’u and village police on Election Day. He said another meeting is slated for next month — close to Election Day.

Uiagalelei said contact has also been made with the Police Commissioner, who responded positively on the request for police assistance. Other types of department help sought by the Election Office are vehicles along with drivers.

Lolo requested his cabinet to help the Election Office with what it needs, saying it’s very important that the government supports the office, ensuring a smooth and peaceful election.

Samoan Affairs Secretary Mauga T. Asuega suggested, and the governor agreed, for Talauega and Uiagalelei to make time to appear on KVZK to discuss all these issues that have been presented to cabinet directors, to ensure that the community is fully aware of not only their individual rights as a voter but also laws on Election Day as well as other election related issues.