Incumbent Gov. wins run-off poll in Samoa

Lieutenant Governor Faoa Ipulasi Sunia is awaiting federal trial on charges of corruption, bribery and conspiracy to commit fraud.

The incumbents won 6,578 votes to 5,062 for challenger Utu Abe Malae and lieutenant governor hopeful Nua Mailo Saoluaga, according to election officials. The incumbents led by a narrow margin in nearly all of the 44 voting precincts but held a strong majority in the eastern villages where the governor is from.

Togiola had the support of Afoa Moega Lutu, who dropped out of the race after winning over a quarter of the vote in a three-way split in the original elections held on November 4.

A run-off was required because under the territory’s law, the successful pair of candidates for the governor and lieutenant governor posts must win over half the vote.

Under local law Togiola is barred from serving a third consecutive term. He won his first election for governor of the South Pacific territory of about 65,000 people in 2004.

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