Samoa election 2021: still no clear winner despite creation of new seat

Creation of an extra seat giving government's party the edge was counteracted when independent MP joined opposition

After what commentators have referred to as the most dramatic election of the Pacific century and almost two weeks of twists and turns, Samoa's polls have still failed to produce a clear winner.

The Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), which has ruled the small island country for 39 years, and its long-serving leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi, faced their biggest election challenge yet in Fa'atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (Fast), led by Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, the country's first female MP and a former deputy prime minister.