The Speaker is considering delaying the Swearing in of the two (2) women
appointed under Article 44 (1A) due to the following:-
1) The Warrant of appointment of the two (2) women is being challenged in
court as to the validity, as to whether it was issued at the correct time.
2) The Warrant also seems to have been issued prematurely and may be invalid
as a petition has been filed by a woman candidate from the by-election, and
so her results are still not finalized, and so the election results are still not
finalized, as has been directed by the Court of Appeal
(E C v Tuuau) C. A 05/21
3) There is a challenge to the formula used for the calculation of the 10% by
another woman candidate and so a further issue about the calculation of the
additional woman is also before the Courts, and directly impacts upon who
can be declared to be the additional women Members of Parliament.
4) The Speaker must only have sworn the duly elected candidates who are also
qualified to be members. However the additional women seats do not qualify
unless the electoral petitions are determined, and any by-elections (if any)
arise from those petitions.

Ma le fa’aaloalo tele,

_______________________________
Hon. Papalii Lio Oloipola Taeu Masipau
SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY