A candidate in March’s General Election, Ofoia Vaipua Nomeneta, has pleaded guilty to making a false declaration in the District Court.

Ofoia entered his plea yesterday in relation to a declaration he made where he stated that he had no previous conviction. 

The declaration enabled him to run during the election where he polled 103 votes at the Va’a o Fonoti constituency.

It was later found that the candidate had a previous conviction and the Office of the Electoral Commissioner pressed charges. What the previous conviction is could not be ascertained at press time.

Acting Electoral Commissioner, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio represented the O.E.C. office. 

In entering his guilty plea, Ofoia said he did not wish to seek a lawyer. 

District Court Judge, Vaepule Vaemoa Vaai, adjourned the matter until 2 May 2016 for a decision.

Tuala faces nine charges

On a separate matter, candidate for Gagaemauga No.1, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, is facing nine criminal charges in relation to the General Election. 

In the District Court, Tuala requested for an adjournment so he could review the different charges and find a lawyer. 

Judge Vaepule granted his application and adjourned the matter to 26 April 2016.