Samoa Launches Official Count in General Election This Week

Electoral officials in Samoa have initiated the official counting process for ballots from the recent general election, which took place on March 3, 2023. Starting Monday, electoral officials will count pre-polling and special general election ballots, as well as recheck votes tallied on polling day.

Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Alexander Stanley, the Electoral Commissioner, provided an outline of the counting process, emphasizing that the sorting and counting of special votes will occur throughout the week. A total of 430 polling booths operated across the nation on election day, each supplied with two distinct ballot boxes: one for ordinary votes and another for special votes from constituents registered in various locations.

On Saturday, the special ballot boxes were opened in the presence of scrutineers and members of the media. Once the ballots were sorted into their respective constituencies, the boxes were resealed and secured under police custody to ensure the integrity of the election process.

The official ballot count is set to begin on Monday and will extend until Friday. This comprehensive count will encompass pre-polling ballots, special votes, and a thorough review of the counts from polling day. Preliminary results indicate that Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt and his party, FAST (Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi), are currently leading the election, followed closely by Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and his HRPP (Human Rights Protection Party).

Independent candidates are also in contention, along with the caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and her Samoa United Party (SUP). With the counting process underway, official results are anticipated by the end of the week.

The importance of a transparent and fair electoral process cannot be overstated, and the careful handling of ballots reflects the commitment of Samoa’s electoral officials to uphold democratic principles. As the nation awaits the final results, the eyes of the electorate remain fixed on the outcome of this pivotal election.