Pre-polling in Samoa is set to begin on Wednesday, 27 August, with more than 1,000 voters expected to cast ballots at 50 polling booths across the country, the Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC) announced. Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley said the commission has staff, equipment, and security in place at every pre-polling site to ensure a smooth and secure voting experience.
Booths will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and votes cast during this period will be treated as special votes and counted after the general election. The OEC has distributed all necessary materials—ballot papers, voter rolls, and security measures—to the pre-polling locations, and staff have been trained to verify registrations, assist voters, and ensure adherence to electoral rules. Tuiafelolo emphasised that public confidence in Samoa’s electoral process remains the commission’s top priority and urged eligible voters who cannot attend on Election Day to take advantage of pre-polling. By running multiple pre-polling sites, the OEC aims to make voting more accessible while safeguarding the integrity of the process.
Voters are encouraged to check their nearest pre-polling booth location to participate early. With thorough planning, trained personnel, and strict procedural compliance, the OEC is confident that pre-polling will run smoothly and reinforce public trust in Samoa’s democracy.
Context and broader picture:
– Samoa’s general election is scheduled for 29 August. Previous reporting has cited a final voter roll around 101,981 voters, following the removal of deceased and relocated names, with the overall census list around 177,225 voters.
– Pre-polling has been planned across the 51 constituencies, with one booth per constituency noted in earlier coverage, allowing voters who cannot travel to their registered venue to cast ballots at any booth; these votes are counted as special votes.
– The final candidate list has been a focus of attention, with hundreds of candidates and multiple parties contesting, underscoring high public engagement and the importance of a transparent, well-managed process.
What to watch as pre-polling and the election approach:
– How smoothly pre-polling operates across sites and how special votes are integrated into the official count.
– Ongoing efforts to ensure the voter roll remains accurate and up to date.
– Training and logistics for scrutineers and election staff to handle the main voting day.
A hopeful note:
The rollout of pre-polling reflects Samoa’s commitment to broadening access to the democratic process while maintaining transparency and security. The readiness of the system and the emphasis on public confidence point toward a constructive path for Samoa’s upcoming elections.
Summary:
Samoa moves into early voting with organized pre-polling across multiple booths, reinforcing accessibility, security, and trust ahead of the August 29 general election.
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