To'omata_Norah_Leota
Toʻomata Norah Leota
Samoan politician
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 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]