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Election Office answers Faoa & Sanitoa concerns

The Faoa-Sanitoa team during a debate prior to the recent election. [SN file photo]
4 Sili voters challenged, Election Office upholds challenge of 3
fili@samoanews.com

Chief election officer Uiagalelei Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei had responded immediately to the concerns raised by the gubernatorial team of Faoa Aitofele Sunia and Rep. Larry Sanitoa regarding matters the team says are “causing concerns for our committee.”

The gubernatorial team’s letter, signed by Faoa, was dated Nov. 7 and Samoa News understands Uiagalelei’s response was hand delivered to the Faoa and Sanitoa headquarters the early part of the evening of Nov. 7.

PAGO PAGO POLLING STATION

According to Faoa’s letter the Pago Pago polling station has actual residents that have participated in the campaign process and asked that Uiagalelei ensure that these residents, as well as the head of household and his family will not be present at the polling station on Election Day “to unduly influence voting.”

In response, Uiagalelei spelled out provisions of local election law (ASCA 6.0702) dealing with “Admission within polling place” where only district officials, the candidates or one representative appointed in writing by each candidate and the qualified elector is allowed in a polling place.

“The Election Office has given instructions to supervisors to ensure that the polling place and the surrounding area comply with the statute,” Uiagalelei wrote to Faoa, adding that should Faoa or his team believe there is a violation of the statute to inform the supervisors at the polling station or contact the chief election office on Election Day.

Samoa News wasn’t able to get immediately confirmation if any incidents surfaced at the Pago Pago polling station, but two electors said during Election Day that it was a quiet and smooth election for Pago Pago.

PICTURES OF BALLOTS TAKEN VIA MOBILE PHONES

Another issue raised by Faoa is the practice that has been talked about for some time in all districts but particularly the district of Pago Pago, where voters were allegedly advised by campaign committees to take digital pictures of their ballots using their cell phones in order to prove that they have voted for a particular candidate.

In his response, Uiagalelei told Faoa the “allegations contain no concrete facts or sources. As such, the allegations are unsubstantiated. The Election Office will take all appropriate measures to ensure that the statutes governing voting procedures and voting secrecy are enforced.”

As previously reported by Samoa News voters who were seen with their cell phones on Election Day heading into the polling booths were asked by election officials not to take them into the booth but to leave them outside.

DUPLICATE VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBER

Also raised is possible duplication of voter registration numbers for two different individuals. According to Faoa, the two individuals are registered voters for District 10 and one of the individuals resides in Hawai’i and works for ASG.

“Your allegation that two individuals have duplicate voter registration numbers is unsubstantiated,” wrote Uiagalelei, who also included the lists showing the two individuals with their separate and distinct voter ID numbers.

ELECTION OFFICIALS — ABSENTEE

Faoa noted the current year’s departure from past election years’ protocol for the casting of absentee ballots by election officials. Faoa claims that for this year’s election, the election officials’ votes were cast and were deposited directly into the ballot boxes and he sought an explanation.

In response, Uiagalelei says the Election Office followed the same procedures this year as in past years. He said the Election Office followed the statutory procedure outlined in local law (ASCA 6.1101).

In that regard, he said the procedure for local absentee ballots is slightly different from procedures for receiving off-island absentee ballots.

“During the local absentee balloting and voting process, you were permitted to have a poll watcher present and raise appropriate challenges,” Uiagalelei informed Faoa. “The Election Office did not receive any challenges prior to the local absentee voters casting their votes.”

SILI VILLAGE VOTERS

“It has come to our attention that there are voters who have been registered in the village of Sili (in Manu’a) that have no connection at all to the village,” said Faoa, who reminded Uiagalelei the residency requirement under election law that must be enforced by the chief election officer.

Faoa also wrote that it has been brought to their attention that these voters have already voted, via absentee. Faoa then listed the names of the four individuals in question and their names are not Samoan. The names also include their voter registration number.

In response, Uiagalelei informed Faoa that, the Election Office “has received your challenges and are conducting a review.”

However, Uiagalelei explained that one of the four individuals voted by absentee on Oct. 17 and “there is no way for the Election Office to distinguish her ballot from any other ballots as pursuant to procedure, the ballot is placed directly in the respective absentee ballot box.”

Additionally, there were no challenges raised prior to this individual casting the absentee ballot and there were no prior challenges raised to the qualified elector list for the Sili District.

Uiagalelei also cited local election law when challenging an elector’s qualifications before the elector cast the ballot. For example the challenge must be brought by filing a complaint in the Appellate Division of the High Court, without the necessity of prior review by the Board of Registration.

With regards to the other three individuals, Uiagalelei informed Faoa that “I have received the matter and have decided to uphold your challenge.”

“Subject to the electors’ rights to appeal this matter to the Board of Registrations, the [three] individuals shall not be permitted to remain registered as qualified electors in Sili, Manu’a,” Uiagalelei concluded.