Members of the Baha’i Faith from American Samoa and Samoa elected its National Governing Council known as the National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa, during the Faith’s 45th National Convention held last weekend at its headquarter in Tiapapata, Samoa.

More than 50 local members of the Baha’i Faith travelled to Apia for the occasion, which included consultations on the development and progress of the Faith in all the Samoan islands, as well as the election of the nine-member governing body, which oversees the affairs of the Faith in both Western and American Samoa.

There are no nominations or campaigning in the Baha’i elections, but delegates to the annual convention are free to vote by secret ballot for any nine members of their choice from all the adult Baha’is in Samoa and American Samoa. The nine members who received the highest votes got elected to serve in the national governing council for one year until the next convention. The council then elected its chairperson and other officers.

Afoa Fepulea’i Titi Nofoagatoto’a of Ili’ili and Taitu’uga Fia Papali’i of Tafuna were the two members from American Samoa who were elected into the National Spiritual Assembly this year, with Nofoagatoto’a being elected again as chairman of the council.

Other members elected were Karen Te’o, Bill Gordon, Lemalu Si’omia Auvele, Tofilau Tepa Suaesi, Alesi Taofiga, Auimatagi Bob Ale and Khosrow Si’isi’ialafia.

The special guest to this year’s convention was Counsellor U’i Pimental from Hawai’i, who gave the opening address. A message from the International Governing Body of the Baha’i Faith in Haifa, Israel known as the Universal House of Justice was read during the opening day of the  convention. The message stressed the need for the Baha’i to live by its teachings so that they can become role models to the community.

On Sunday morning, the delegates offered prayers at the resting place of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II in Mulinu’u. His Highness was the first reigning monarch who embraced the Baha’i teachings. Malietoa was well respected and dearly loved by the more than seven million Baha’i around the world.

Source: Baha’i Faith media release