Independent Candidate Lautimuia Uelese Vaai Wins Back Vaimauga 3 By-Election

Independent candidate Lautimuia Uelese Vaai has been officially declared the winner of the Vaimauga 3 by-election, securing a decisive victory following the release of final results by the Office of the Electoral Commission.

According to the official count, Lautimuia polled 1,802 votes, comfortably ahead of his nearest rival, Taioali’iseu Fiti Aimaasu of the FAST Party, who received 996 votes.

Tuuamaalii Tupuola Fomai Sapolu of HRPP finished third with 573 votes, while fellow independent Puaalatai Tupuola Filemoni recorded 474 votes.

The total number of valid votes cast in the by-election was 3,845, with 38 informal votes recorded.

The result confirms what early preliminary counts had indicated — a strong and consistent lead for Lautimuia across the majority of polling booths in the constituency.

This victory marks a significant outcome for an independent candidate in a closely watched contest, reflecting strong voter support across Vaimauga 3. Lautimuia’s performance saw him dominate key polling areas, building a lead that proved insurmountable as counting progressed.

The by-election was held on 1 May 2026 to elect a new Member of Parliament for the Vaimauga 3 constituency, with the official declaration signed and confirmed by Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Alexander John Stanley.

With the final count now confirmed, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai will take up the seat in Parliament, adding an independent voice to Samoa’s political landscape.

ATA: Office of the Electoral Commission – Samoa