Newly elected West Kwara’ae Constituency MP faces five counts of bribery allegations in an election petition filed by three persons, including two unsuccessful candidates
THE newly elected Member of Parliament for Malaita Province’s West Kwara’ae Constituency, Alfred JM Tuasulia, is facing an election petition with five counts of bribery allegations levelled against him.
According to petition documents sighted Solomon Star, the petitioners are two unsuccessful candidates in the West Kwar’ae bye-election. They are Fred Ramoli who came second and Bernard Gale who came fourth in the election race.
The third petitioner is a registered voter by the name of Bobby Ngalingwa’a.
According to the petition documents, the first bribery allegation involving MP Tuasulia took place at the Bio Bridge where he handed $250 to voters and told them to vote for him.
The second bribery count against MP Tuasulia was alleged to have taken place at Bubuitolo community on 20 May 2023 during a gathering.
“The purpose of the gathering was to share the sum of $3000 then given by the respondent to his Bubuitolo agents, namely Christopher, Gabriel Gwa’i and Tressa Nialani Maetala.
“Each agent received $1000 with strict instructions from the respondent to use the money to lure voters.
“The gathering was witnessed by several people, including witnesses A, B, C and D.
“Those present at the gathering were told by the agents to vote for Mr Tuasulia if they wish to benefit from the money.”
It was alleged that witness A received $100 from agent, Tressa Maetala, whilst witness B received $30 from agent, Robert Fa’aferoa, with the instruction to vote for Mr Tuasulia.
The third count of bribery allegedly took place at Fauabu clinic on 5April 2023 where the winning candidate gave money to sick patients and their caretakers and instructed them to vote for him.
It was alleged that MP Tuasulia gave $100 to each sick patient and $50 each to their caregivers, whilst persuading them to vote for him.
The fourth count of bribery against the winning candidate allegedly took place at Taisol on 17 May 2023 where the winning candidate met with his agents, Kairi at Taisol and gave them an unspecified amount of money, which Kairi shared amongst a total of seven witnesses.
It was also alleged that on the election eve – 23 May – at around 6pm, Kairi distributed goods to surrounding households with the message to vote for Mr Tuasulia.
The fifth count of bribery took place at Buma on 16 March 2023 when the winning candidate arrived at Buma and declared his intention to run for the West Kwara’ae bye-election and offered $300 cash for those present at the event.
The petition document sighted by Solomon Star were dated 30th day of June 2023 was signed by the three petitioners.
The petitioners are therefore seeking the following orders;
1. The 1st respondent was not duly elected or returned and that his election was void;
2. The 1st respondent be adjudged guilty of the offence of bribery and treating contrary to s.126 and 127 of the Electoral Act;
3. The 1st respondent be barred from contesting any election from a period of five (5) years effective from date of the order; and
4. Such further order (s) as the court deems fit.
Representing the petitioners is DBL Lawyers.
By WILSON SAENI in Auki
