Toʻomata Norah Leota

To'omata Norah Leota
Member of the Samoa Parliament for Anoama'a No. 2[a]
In office 11 May 2022 – 14 November 2022
Personal details
Political party	Fa'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. 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.