With Samoa's election day now finished, RNZ Pacific spoke to people at local markets to get a sense of how the public felt about the voting, the results and what lies ahead.
Across the markets, while opinions about parties differed, there was a shared sense of relief that the election was over and a hope that Samoa can now move forward.
The legal age to vote in Samoa is 21, but younger people have been watching closely.
Even though they could not cast a ballot, they still had their own favourites.
Given permission by their mothers to speak to RNZ Pacific, youngsters like Virginia Mesi believed the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) would win, while another young woman, Lila Matila, expected the FAST Party to take the lead.
For others, the focus was on the process and the need for stability.
One man, who asked not to be named, said Samoa would continue to suffer.
"To me the most important thing is that the elections have finished, and nothing serious has happened, that is the most important thing.
"But as for this government, my only wish is that I pray we accept the outcome. There will be other things next, that our country will suffer, [the parties and government] will go through the drama while people like us who are stall holders and with the court cases about to be filed, we wont know when it will finish, and our country will continue to suffer."
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Lauano Ah Ching, in tears, reflected on how things have changed in Samoa. He also shared the same sentiments.
Like many others, he said he was grateful the election showed no violence but wondered why there had been such a huge shift.
"While the current counting of votes from the election is on, the things that are happening, there are people who have been disregarded from the first lot of votes counted, and people who have stood again.
"I question as to why our government has come to where it is now, or is it because an individual wants the role? But the role is where Samoa has the right to choose for its people and for the future of tomorrow."
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Faith and acceptance were also expressed. Fai'ilagi Pu'efua Asiasi said she was happy.
"I am feeling comforted and happy, even though my chosen political party did not win, but I am happy and comforted.
"Samoa is a country that God has chosen for, and so whatever the outcome is and where it has gotten to is what God has chosen, whatever party stands I will support fully."
"I voted and I am happy the person I voted for has won. I am not supporting a party or anything the only thing that I am happy about is that my candidate has won, whatever party wins, I…"
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Sa'eu Brown said she was unhappy with what she had seen circulating online about a possible village contribution towards a new airline.
"Why should we do this, and look for money to help look for a plane, especially with the high cost of living. There won't be any room to grow, especially when things are so expensive.
"The new government has not even started and people can see what the new government will look like. It is not nice to me, I am happy that elections have finished, but whatever is happening on social media I do not want to get involved in.
"But I do want a government who loves samoa whole heatedly."
Many overseas Samoans were also in the country, some for fa'alavelave (funerals, weddings, or matai title ceremonies), while others were there to support relatives running in the election.
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Tanuvasa Manaia Sisifo, who travelled from American Samoa, said she was initially worried about returning during the vote.
"I came for a family SaofaI (cultural ceremony to bestow chiefly title). I was worried coming during the election, but we had already planned way ahead of time. I was worried we might be stuck here, or that there might be chaos, but everything was peaceful."
"The country has been unsettled during the election, so I am glad it is over and I hope the country moves on.
"I wish whoever is in power would be the best for Samoa. I want to see my country flourish and the economy prosper and I I would like to see my country more beautified."
The official count has comeplted and the swearing-in of the new government is expected next, alongside election petitions being filed, creating some uncertainty on how long it will take for the post-election issues to be resolved.
