Samoa readies for August 29 general election as voter roll stands at 101,981 and a record candidate field looms
Samoa’s Electoral Commission has confirmed a final voter roll of 101,981 for the upcoming general election, after cleaning the list to remove the deceased and those who have moved abroad, and after the addition of 16 voters from the Falealupo constituency whose eligibility had been challenged and then resolved in their favor. Online registration has been strong, with thousands signing up, including reports of about 10,000 online registrations by locals and a smaller overseas cohort, with some updates citing roughly 10,404 local online registrations and about 72 overseas registrations.
The Commission also noted that 16 voters from Falealupo were added following the withdrawal of a challenge to their eligibility, and the roll will continue to be refined as further verifications are completed. The overall census list is estimated at around 177,225 voters, with expectations that this figure will tighten as deceased voters are removed and corrections are finalized. The roll’s integrity remains a key focus as the election nears.
Pre-polling is set to commence on August 27, with one polling booth operating in each of the 51 constituencies. Voters who cannot travel to their registered election venue will have the option to cast their ballots at any polling booth, with such votes counted as special votes. All district votes will be tallied at the polling booths as voting closes on August 29, and special votes will be opened at the Electoral Office in Tuana’imato when the official count begins. Preparations are proceeding smoothly, with training for election scrutineers already underway across Savaii and Upolu.
The final list of candidates is expected to be finalized soon after court decisions on several electoral challenges. In parallel with the vote preparations, the country is seeing a record field of candidates, totaling 191 across seven registered parties. FAST leads with 61 candidates, HRPP with 52, SUP with 26, SLP with six, and smaller party entries including TPRRP and SDRP with one each, alongside 44 independents. Women make up 24 of the candidates, with 167 men.
Voter registration remains a focal point as authorities work to ensure a robust roll. The broader electoral landscape includes ongoing legal scrutiny of candidate eligibility, and officials stress the importance of a transparent and well-prepared process to maintain public confidence.
What to watch as election day approaches
– Final candidate list: Court decisions on eligibility could alter the lineup.
– Voter roll integrity: Ongoing removals of ineligible names and confirmations of registrations to maintain a clean roll.
– Pre-poll and special votes: How smoothly pre-polling operates and how special votes are managed and counted.
– Scrutineer training and logistics: Capacity-building for observers and staff to handle polling day requirements.
A hopeful note
The convergence of a large, diverse candidate field with a broad base of registered voters signals rising public engagement and confidence in Samoa’s democratic processes. As sessions finalize, the emphasis remains on fairness, transparency, and ensuring accessible voting for all eligible citizens, pointing toward a constructive path for Samoa’s representative government.
Summary
With more than 100,000 voters cleared to vote and preparations underway across multiple fronts, Samoa’s 2025 general election is shaping up to be a well-organized and participatory process. The record candidate field, ongoing legal considerations, and continued voter enrollment efforts suggest a robust demonstration of democratic engagement in Samoa.
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