Preliminary election results are still trickling in for Samoa's 2025 snap election. Photo: RNZ/ Mark Papalii
A Tasmanian academic observing Samoa's snap general election says the results will show whether voters are reaffirming the political shift of 2021 or returning to the old order.
Dr Richard Herr, an independent election observer from the University of Tasmania, is in Samoa along with election observers from the Pacific Islands Forum, New Zealand and Australia.
Tasmanian academic, Dr Richard Herr who is an election observer at the Samoa snap general election Photo: RNZ/Mark Papalii
Herr is no stranger in the Pacific region, he's worked in Fiji, New Caledonia and the Cook Islands.
He said the outcome will be an important marker in the country's [Samoa] democratic journey.
"Will this election be a realigning election or a reconfirming election" Herr said.
"If we take 2021 [election] as a temporary revolt against a HRPP, ok, it was led by people who had been HRPP leaders. It began as a fight within HRPP leadership even, then you could say that 2021 was an aberrant election.
This election will give us a sense of whether or not voters are going to realign in an ongoing way, and in that sense, it would be election confirming that the realignment was real or that 2021 wasn't aberrant election but that the competitive party system is here to probably stay for some time," Herr said.
Polling took place on Friday after the election was brought forward when the government was unable to pass its budget.
It follows months of political turmoil that began in January when La'auli Leuatea Polata'ivao Schmidt was charged, deepening rifts within the ruling FAST Party.
In the 2021 general election, FAST ended the decades-long dominance of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), ushering in Samoa's first female Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa.
Preliminary results from Friday's poll show FAST again leading, followed by HRPP, some independents and the Samoa United Party (SUP).
Herr said the mechanics of the vote had run smoothly and he could see Samoa was moving closer to systems used in Australia and New Zealand.
"The use of IT to link voter registration with polling is a major step forward for integrity," he said. "It's a clear sign Samoa is modernising its elections."
Special and pre-polling ballots will be counted from Monday, 1 September with final results expected by 5 September.
Herr said it was crucial for observers to be present to ensure transparency.
"Election observers help give credibility to the process, not only internationally but domestically too."
While Samoa's chiefly-based system means only matai (chiefs) can stand for Parliament, Herr said it reflected what the people had chosen.
"It does create challenges, but it's what Samoans have voted for, and it's the system they've chosen to uphold."
Samoa Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Alexander Stanley briefs the media on election day. Photo: RNZ/ Mark Papalii
Samoa's Electoral Commissioner said the official count of votes from last week's general election will begin on Monday 1 September, after the sorting of special ballots.
A total of 430 polling booths were open on Friday, 29 August, each with two ballot boxes - one for ordinary votes cast within constituencies, and another for special votes lodged by eligible voters outside their home electorate.
Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Alexander Stanley said the special boxes were opened on Saturday 30 August, under the watch of scrutineers and the media. Once sorted, the boxes would be sealed and placed in police custody.
From Monday, officials will begin counting pre-polling and special ballots, as well as rechecking votes already tallied on polling day. The process is expected to run through to Friday, 5 September with the official results to be published online that evening or early Saturday, 6 September.
The writ of election will then be returned to the Head of State on 8 September for the formal declaration of the successful candidates who will make up Samoa's 18th Parliament.
