Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Registered electors have until 4:30p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 07 to file a challenge regarding the eligibility of candidates for the 2022 Mid-Term election for Nov. 08, after Chief Election Officer, Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei, released a public letter on the  “Determination of Eligibility of Candidates” for 2022 Election.

“Based upon the Nomination Petitions filed and other documents on record with the Election Office,” the Chief Election Officer has determined the individuals “eligible to qualify as candidates” for the mid-term election, according to the letter, which was issued and released after 4:30p.m. Sept. 01.

Uiagalelei said that all “candidates will be Officially Certified” pursuant to section 6.0302(a) of the American Samoa Code Annotated referring to a provision under local law regarding “Challenging of Candidates”.

This provision of the law states in part that: Any registered qualified elector may, for any cause not previously decided by the Board of Registration or the High Court in respect to the same person, challenge the right of that person to be a candidate for office in a general or special election.

The challenge shall be made no later than 4:30 p.m. on the third business day after the Chief Election Officer issues his determination of nominated candidates eligible for election. The challenge shall be in writing, setting forth the grounds upon which it is based, and be signed by the person making the challenge.

Furthermore, the challenge shall be delivered to the Chief Election Officer, who shall immediately serve notice of it on the candidate. The Chief Election Officer shall, as soon as possible, investigate and rule on the challenge.  

Samoa News points out that: with the three-day long weekend, including yesterday, Monday, the Labor Day holiday, the 3rd-business day falls on Sept. 07, Wednesday, at 4:30p.m. to file a challenge.

The chief Election Officer’s “Determination of Eligibility of Candidates” public letter shows that only one candidate is determined eligible for American Samoa’s seat to the U.S. House and that is incumbent, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who is maintaining her name “Aumua Amata” on the ballot.

Former unsuccessful congressional candidate Melegi Suitonu-Chapman had announced her intention to run for the Delegate seat and picked up a candidate petition.

However, she since decided not to run this year leaving the incumbent to run unopposed in the midterm election.

In the local House of Representatives races: 19 out of the 20-elected faipule are seeking re-election including House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale (Alataua), who faces one challenger.

Rep. Vaetasi Tuumolimoli S. Moliga for District #10-Maoputasi #4, is not seeking election, as his name is not on the Determination of Candidates list. However, there are two candidates vying for the seat in this district.

Five incumbents are running unopposed, and that will be finalized when the Chief Election Officer certifies the candidates list.

Tualauta Representative District #15 has the highest number of candidates at six of them, including the incumbents, Reps. Larry S. Sanitoa and Samuel Ioka Meleisea.

Here is the names list as presented by the Chief Election Office. The asterisk (*) indicates the incumbents:

DELEGATE TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
1. Aumua Amata *

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Representative District #1 – Manu’a
1. Ali’itama Sotoa
2. Alumamalu Ale Filoialii*
3. Elijah J. Leasau
4. Fetui Fetu Jr.*
5. Paepaetele Mapu Jamias

Representative District #2 – Manu’a
1. Tiaoalii Fauagiga T. Sai*
2. Tili Tavita

Representative District #3 – Vaifanua
1. Lavea Fatulegae’e Palepoi Mauga*
2. Shaun Onosa’i Vaa
3. Tuaomalotumua Lonenoa Philip Faoa

Representative District #4 – Saole
1. Titiali’i Kitara Vaiau*
2. Vaasa Uluiva Simanu

Representative District #5 – Sua #1
1. Luaitaua Gene Pan*

Representative District #6 – Sua #2
1. Avagafono, Tuavao Vaimaga Maiava*

Representative District #7 – Maoputasi #1
1. Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i*

Representative District #8 – Maoputasi #2    
1. Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr
2. Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi*

Representative District #9 – Maoputasi #3
1. Vesiai Poyer S. Samuelu*

Representative District #10 – Maoputasi #4
1. Alaese Tina Faisiotamo’i Vivao Ioane
2. Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao

Representative District #11 – Maoputasi #5
1. Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen*
Muaiavaona Fofoga Pila

Representative District #12 – Ituau
1. Fa’afeo Lagafuaina
2. Logoituau Mark T. Atafua*
3. Manumaua Wayne Wilson*
4. Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching

Representative District #13 – Fofo
1.Andra Samoa*
2. Fiu John Saelua

Representative District # 14 – Alataua
1. Fatumalala Leulua’i Al-Shehri
2. Savali Talavou Ale*

Representative District #15 – Tualauta
1. Bartley, Papali’i Su’a Lucia
2. Fiatagata Maloa Amani Johnson
3. Larry S. Sanitoa*
4. Samuel Ioka Meleisea*
5. Tauinaola Jeremiah Tatupu
6. Vui Florence Vaili Saulo

Representative District #16 – Tualatai
1. Manavaalofa Tutuila Manase*
2. Moira Fatima Maiava

Representative District #17 – Leasina
1. Ape Mike Asifoa*