The trial to hear an election petition filed against Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu for corruption during his 2014 election campaign continued this week with witnesses called by the Petitioner Viliami Uasike Latu, at the Supreme Court in Neiafu.

On 2 December, two witnesses for the Petitioner represented by William Clive Edwards told the Supreme Court that Lavulavu had given them money on November 26, 2014 the day before the election.

‘Anau Taufa reported from Neiafu that a witness ‘Alilia Talakai gave evidence that on Wednesday, November 26 last year, Lavulavu came to a Catholic Church hall in Leimatu’a where she and other members of the Sei-‘o-Lepuha women's group were weaving.

"There were nine of us together and around 3-4:00pm, Lavulavu turned up and asked for a woman called Naomi and gave $100 pa’anga to Uini Fou Fili, saying to get some refreshments for us."

The witness told the court that he also invited them to a gathering and prize award ceremony for a women's committee for agriculture and development in Leimatu’a.

The witness said when Lavulavu came on 26 November and gave the money she felt it was aimed to induce them to vote for him because next day was Election Day, on 27 November.

Another witness, Kika Melekiola said Lavulavu had also given her $50 pa’anga when he turned up at her home.

She confirmed this was on 26 November and that she was surprised when he came because he had never visited her home before.

"I was puzzled why he gave me $50 but what came through my mind was that it was election on the next day, 27 November and he gave the money to induce me and my mother who was present to vote for him," she told the court.

She claimed Lavulavu had also invited them to the same program of the women's committee that was held on that same evening.

The court heard from both women that previously they never knew such a committee had existed in Leimatu’a.

The election petition filed by Latu alleged that Lavulavu the Minister of Tourism and Vava'u No.16 People's Representative to Parliament had committed corruption and illegal activities, including bribery, during his campaign for the General Election that was held on November 27, 2014.

The trial continued on Friday 4 December.