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Puleleiite's move to ASTCA leaves vacant seat in the House

Pulele’iite Li’amatua Tufele Jr.who resigned from the fono in order to take over the CEO post at ASTCA. [SN file photo]
Special election set for next month
fili@samoanews.com

A special election is set for next month to fill a seat in the House of Representatives, now vacant following the resignation of Rep. Pulele’iite Li’amatua Tufele Jr. who has served, for several years, District No. 5, Sua No. 1 -  which is comprised of Fagaitua, Amaua, Auto, Avaio, Alega, Aumi and Laulii.

Last Thursday, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale officially announced Puleleiite's resignation in the House.

A Sept. 1st statement from the American Samoa TeleCommunications Authority announced that the lawmaker has resigned as a faipule and will commit to his role as CEO at ASTCA.

Provision of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa states in part that when vacancies occur in the Senate or House, the governor shall issue a writ of election to fill such vacancies except that if any such vacancy shall occur within three months of the next regular election, no special election shall be held and the Governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill such vacancy.

Pulele’iite’s current two-year term with the 35th Legislature expires at 12noon on Jan. 3, 2019.

In a statement yesterday, chief election officer, Uiagalelei Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei, announced that on Sept. 1st - pursuant to the local Constitution - the governor called for a special election for Representative District No. 5, Sua No. 1

According to Uiagalelei, the special election will be held Oct. 24, 2017 for 12-hours starting at 6a.m. to be held at designated polling places. The term for office will commence immediately and expire Jan. 3, 2019.

Uiagalelei’s statement also serves as a notice that candidate nomination petition forms and materials for special election are now available at the Election Office in Tafuna and must be filed with the Election Office no later than 4:30p.m on Friday, Sept. 22nd.

Uiagalelei also announced that voter registration is now open and will be closed at 4:30p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2nd.

The Election Office is now accepting requests for off island absentee ballots for uniformed service voters, overseas voters, and students attending institutions of higher learning outside of American Samoa. The last day to request an off island absentee ballot is 4:30p.m. on Oct. 10th.

To request an off island absentee ballot, visit the Election Office website: <www.americansamoaelectionoffice.org> to download and complete the form. Uniformed Service voters and overseas voters - outside the US and territories - may use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to request an absentee ballot.

Upon completion and certification of the request form, send it to fax: 684-699-3574, email <asg.eo.absentee@gmail.com> or send it to: Election Office, P.O. Box 3970, Pago Pago, AS 96799.

For additional information, call the Election Office at 684-699-3570.