Several face election bribery charges in Samoa
Tue, 04/19/2016 - 12:31pm
Samoa's police minister has denied allegations of bribery brought against him in a private prosecution.
The case against Sala Fata Pinati was brought by Sala Malautea Iose McCarthy, who lost to the minister in the Gaga'emauga electorate in this year's election.
The minister is accused of influencing voters by giving them money.
The court will hear from 20 witnesses in a two week trial scheduled to start on the 16th of May.
Meanwhile, another member of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party, Pa'u Sefo Pa'u, is also facing election-related charges, but he has applied for the court to quash the charges.
The office of the Electoral Commissioner has charged an unsuccessful election candidate who allegedly made a false declaration.
The candidate, Ofoia Nomeneta, has pleaded guilty to the charge and will be sentenced on the 2nd of May.
The commission has also filed bribery cases against two voters for giving money to other voters.