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Samoa's ruling party set for landslide victory in general election

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Samoa's ruling Human Rights Protection Party is set to secure a landslide victory in the Pacific island country's general election held on Friday, the Samoan government announced.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, caretaker prime minister and leader of the Human Rights Protection Party, delivered a brief statement before midnight, confirming that preliminary counts show that his party has secured some 44 seats of a possible 49 in the unicameral parliament, according to a press release from the Samoan government's Press Secretariat.

"As leader, and on behalf of the Human Rights Protection Party, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of Samoa for the support, and the overwhelming vote of confidence in our vision for this country," Tuilaepa said.

"I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge and commend the leadership of the opposition, the Tautua Party. This has not been an easy journey, and I congratulate you for the commitment and effort to representing your constituency and your party with such dedication," he added.

Samoans went to the polls on Friday, casting their ballots in 347 voting booths across the island nation. Voting started at 8 a.m. local time and closed at 3 p.m. local time.

A total of 164 people contested the general election, including 81 from the Human Rights Protection Party, 23 from the Tautua Party and 60 independent candidates.

Tuilaepa has been Samoa's prime minister since 1998. Enditem