Samoa electoral roll finalized with 101,981 voters cleared for August 29 poll
Samoa’s Electoral Commissioner, Toleafoa Tuiafelolo John Stanley, has confirmed that a final tally of 101,981 voters are cleared to vote in the 29 August 2025 general election. The number was reached after the roll was cleaned to remove the names of the deceased and those who have moved abroad, and after 16 voters from the Falealupo constituency were added following the withdrawal of a challenge to their eligibility.
The commission noted online registrations are active, with about 10,000 people registering online and the majority being local voters, alongside around 400 voters registered from abroad. For pre-polling on 27 August, one polling booth will operate at each of the 51 constituencies. Voters who cannot travel to their registered polling place can cast their ballots at any polling booth, with these votes counted as special votes. District results will be tallied at the polling booths when voting closes on 29 August, while special votes will be opened at the Electoral Office in Tuana’imato once the official count begins.
The final list of candidates is set to be finalized on Friday after the court delivers decisions on several electoral challenges. Toleafoa indicated that preparations for the election are proceeding smoothly, with scrutineer training already underway for Savaii and Upolu counties.
Context from related reporting shows Samoa’s electoral landscape is heating up as nomination processes proceed. A separate overview reported a record 191 candidates across seven parties, with FAST and HRPP leading the field (FAST about 61 candidates, HRPP around 52, SUP 26, SLP 6, with independents totaling 44 and smaller parties represented by a single candidate each). The roll has roughly 177,225 voters in the census list, though this figure is expected to tighten as deceased voters are removed. Online participation includes thousands of local registrations and a smaller but notable number from overseas. On the campaign and legal front, authorities are preparing for ongoing challenges to candidate eligibility, while the commission emphasizes the importance of a robust, properly prepared electoral process.
What to watch as the election approaches
– Final candidate list: Court decisions on eligibility could shift the final lineup.
– Voter roll integrity: Continued removal of ineligible names and verification of registrations to ensure a clean roll.
– Pre-poll and special votes: How smoothly pre-polling operates across all constituencies and how special votes are managed and counted.
– Scrutineer training and logistics: Ongoing capacity-building for election observers and staff to handle polling day requirements.
A hopeful note
The convergence of a large and diverse candidate field with a broad registration base suggests growing public engagement and faith in Samoa’s democratic processes. As sessions finalize, the emphasis remains on fairness, transparency, and accessible voting for all eligible citizens, signaling a constructive path toward a 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 as a tightly run, participatory process. The combination of a robust candidate field, ongoing legal scrutiny, and concerted voter enrollment efforts points to a contest that could reflect evolving democratic engagement in Samoa.
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