To'omata Norah Leota
Member of the Samoa Parliament
for Anoama'a No. 2[lower-alpha 1]
In office
11 May 2022 – 14 November 2022
Personal details
Political partyFa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi

To'omata Norah Leota is a Samoan politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. She is a member of the FAST Party.

To'omata is from Solosolo.[1]

To'omata unsuccessfully contested the 2021 Samoan general election as a FAST candidate in the seat of Anoama'a No. 2. Following the election she filed an election petition against the winner, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo.[2] The petition was unsuccessful, and found that she was guilty of an illegal practice for bribing seven villages with envelopes of cash during a party roadshow.[3] Despite this, she was not disqualified from future elections.[4]

Following the 2021 Samoan by-elections, the electoral commission declared Ali'imalemanu Alofa Tuuau and Faagasealii Sapoa Feagiai elected under the women's quota.[5] To'omata challenged the decision in court, arguing that she had been overlooked.[6] On 11 May 2022 the Supreme Court of Samoa confirmed the election of the two additional members. The court additionally declared To'omata elected as a third additional member due to the resignation of Leota Tima Leavai and her subsequent replacement by a man. The Supreme Court noted in its decision that when a man is elected to fill a constituency seat vacancy previously held by a woman, the constitutional requirement for a woman to also be elected as an additional member is separate from the quota requirement.[7][8] She was sworn in as an MP on 17 May 2022.[9] Following her swearing-in, the Human Rights Protection Party lodged an appeal against her appointment.[1]

On 6 July 2022 she was sworn in as Associate Minister of Customs and Revenue.[10][11] On 14 November 2022 the Court of Appeal voided her appointment as an MP.[12]

Notes

  1. ↑ elected under the women's quota

References

  1. 1 2 Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (2 June 2022). "Party files application against To'omata's swearing". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  2. ↑ "HRPP Deputy Leader Faces Election Petition in Court". Samoa Global News. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "HRPP deputy leader Fonotoe retains seat". Talanei. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  4. ↑ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (21 July 2021). "Defeated, Toomata still eligible under quota". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  5. ↑ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (29 November 2021). "H.R.P.P. wins two women seats in Parliament". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  6. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (16 December 2021). "To'omata leads challenge on women M.P.s". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  7. ↑ "Samoan court rules Parliament will have three new women MPs". RNZ. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  8. ↑ Lagi Keresoma (12 May 2022). "Court rules Speaker to swear in 3 additional Women Parliamentarians". Talamua Online News. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  9. ↑ Loreta Kelemete (17 May 2022). "Historical Swearing-In of Three Women MPs into the Parliament of Samoa". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  10. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (6 July 2022). "Two more Associate Ministers sworn-in". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  11. ↑ Joyetter Feagaimaalii (6 July 2022). "New Associate Ministers takes office". Radio Polynesia Samoa. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  12. ↑ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (14 November 2022). "Toomata swearing-in invalid says Court of Appeal". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
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