120,000 voters in Samoa go to the polls today

Eager voters at Vaigaga who will decide the future of the controversial wharf project are already seated at 7 this morning.

By Lagi Keresoma/Photos by Gerwin Polu

APIA, SAMOA – 09 APRIL 2021: In a fine sunshiny Samoan day, 120,000 voters go to the polls today to elect a new government following months of intensive and unprecedented campaigning.

The ruling HRPP led government of 40 years is facing a real challenge by the 7 month old FAST Party led by a former Deputy Prime Minister and former Speaker who left the HRPP ranks on major issues of principle.

HRPP has wooed the voters, (half of whom had known no other political alternative in forty years) on its work.

FAST on the other hand, pushed home the real need for change given the threat to the rule of law and governments failures such as the handling of the measles epidemic in 2019 where a hundred people, mainly babies, died.

Pre-polling for the last four days, posted a very close result with HRPP holding 25 seats, FAST 21, Tautua 1, Independents 1 and 1 seat is a tie between HRPP and FAST.

Of the 8,000 people registered for the pre-polling since Monday, 580 did not vote, however, they have a chance to vote in today’s general election.

After the final count of the last four days pre-polling, 7420 did cast their vote.

The Electoral Commissioner, Faimalōmatumua Mathew Lemisio and Police Superintendent, Misa Tauveve Iosefo keeping election operations under control.

Like no other, there has been much hype in the lead up to this general election with political parties taking campaigns to a totally new level.

There has never been such strong feedback from voters in support of their political parties and the Samoan diaspora overseas had made their voice known by supporting FAST and donating funds in a bid to vote in a FAST led government.

Campaigning by both parties took to social media and a strong voice of the Samoans abroad, who due to the pandemic, could not travel over (for those qualified) to vote.

Polling booths open at 9.0am and close at 3.00pm. The votes are counted and preliminary results announced in each polling booth to be released officially by the Commissioner of Elections later tonight. The final count is on Monday next week.

Voters at the Vaiusu Polling Booth who will decide whether the controversial wharf pushed by the government goes ahead or not.