Interesting evidence was presented to the Electoral Court in the Vaimauga No.3 election petition, with one witness contradicting his affidavit, one saying he asked the respondent for money and another claiming to be related to the respondent but did not know how.
The petition filed by Taioaliiseu Fiti Aimaasu against Lautimuia Uelese Vaai began before Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma and Justice Donald Kerslake started on Wednesday. The court will first hear the petition and then the counterpetition by Lautimuia.
Before the witnesses were called, the court was informed that one of the witnesses, Teresa Finau, had been scraped off the witness list.
Aloseta Lavea of Leone, 60, was the first witness called. In his affidavit that was read out in court, he said, on 20 April, a woman named Pao Savali came to his house and told him that Lautimuia is holding a gathering at the Maota o Lealasola.
He said Lautimuia told the gathering that he will not interfere in who the people vote for, as it is the voters' right to vote for whoever they think best suits them.
