Samoa
Legislative Assembly
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Unicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.
Background
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Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
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09 Apr 2021 to 26 Nov 2021
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Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
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03 Mar 2021
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Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
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Upon normal expiry
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Expected date of next elections
The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
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31 Mar 2026
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Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
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51
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Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
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Full renewal
Candidates
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Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
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5
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Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
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189
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Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
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168
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Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
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21
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Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
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11.1%
Results
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About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
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Inconclusive elections in April 2021 triggered unprecedented political turmoil in Samoa, which is home to 220,000 people. They ultimately resulted in the first powershift since 1982 and the first woman prime minister of the country took office in July after lengthy court battles.
In the 51-member legislature (see note 1), the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP, led by long-serving Prime Minister Susuga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, see note 2) initially won 25 seats. At first, 24 seats went to the party Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST, formed in June 2020 by former Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa who defected from HRPP). Independent candidates won the two remaining seats. Both independent members-elect subsequently joined FAST, giving it a one-seat majority. Five women were elected (9.8 per cent of members).
On 21 April, the electoral commission announced one seat would be added to respect the 10 per cent quota for women in the new legislature. The additional seat was granted to HRPP, which led to a tie between the two parties in the 52-member legislature. The new chamber would have included six women. FAST contested the electoral commission’s decision and filed a court case. A total of 28 electoral petitions and counter-petitions were filed. On 4 May, Head of State Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II called snap elections for 21 May, citing a deadlock. FAST rejected the call for snap elections and filed a new case in court.
On 17 May, the Supreme Court invalidated the additional seat allotted to HRPP, thereby restoring FAST’s one-seat majority. It also invalidated the snap elections, stating that "There is no lawful basis for the Head of State calling for a new election". The Court ordered the newly elected parliament to convene by 24 May (within 45 days of the elections as required by the Constitution).
On 21 May, the Head of State called the first session for 24 May. However, the following day, he proclaimed that parliament would be suspended until further notice. On 23 May, Speaker Leaupepe Taimaaiono Toleafoa Faafisi then cancelled the first session "until a further proclamation has been made by the Head of State". On the same day, the Supreme Court overturned the Head of State’s suspension of parliament, paving the way for the first session to be held on 24 May.
However, on 24 May, access to the parliament building was blocked. Nevertheless, the leader of FAST, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, held a ceremony to swear in the parliamentarians-elect from the FAST party in a tent outside the locked parliament. FAST then announced that Ms. Mata’afa was the new prime minister. Mr. Papalii Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u (FAST) was sworn in by this group as the new Speaker. The government issued a press release stating “the swearing-in ceremony by FAST was unlawful and unconstitutional” and filed a court case.
On 2 June, the Court of Appeal ruled that at least six women were needed to satisfy the minimum 10 per cent requirement. However, it also declared void the additional seat that the electoral commission had allotted to an HRPP woman candidate. The Court stated that, if required, an additional seat would need to be allotted after the results of any by-elections that might arise from the election petitions and counter-petitions.
On 4 June, caretaker Prime Minister Malielegaoi and Prime Minister elect Mata’afa started talks to resolve the political crisis. However, they reached an impasse on 8 June after only two rounds of talks. The caretaker prime minister argued parliament would not be able to convene until all election petitions had been heard before the Supreme Court, and the results of any by-elections confirmed.
On 28 June, the Supreme Court ruled that the swearing in of the FAST parliamentarians-elect on 24 May had been unlawful. However, it also ruled that parliament must sit within seven days. On 4 July (the eve of the Supreme Court deadline for parliament to sit), the Head of State announced that parliament would convene on 2 August. He added that only the Head of State had the legal powers and constitutional authority to appoint a time and place for the meeting of the Legislative Assembly under article 52 of the Constitution, although the same article also stipulates that parliament is to convene within 45 days of a general election. Meanwhile, one woman member-elect resigned and election petitions were filed against two others. The Head of State said the convening of parliament without the sixth woman member would be unconstitutional.
On 23 July, the Court of Appeal ruled that FAST was the official winner of the 2021 elections. It also ruled the ad hoc swearing-in ceremony of FAST MPs held on 24 May had been legitimate, paving the way for Ms. Mata’afa to become the first woman prime minister of the country. On 27 July, the new Prime Minister took office. On the same day, the Clerk handed over keys of parliament building (which had been locked since 24 May) to the new Speaker.
Note 1:
On 29 January 2019, parliament passed a series of amendments to the Electoral Act. The new law stipulates that the Legislative Assembly will comprise 51 members elected from single-member constituencies.
The outgoing 49-member parliament comprised 47 members elected from "territorial constituencies" reserved for ethnic Samoans, 2 members elected from seats open to those from other communities, and 1 member under the Constitution Amendment Act 2013 which stipulates a 10 per cent quota for women.
The Constitution Amendment Act (No. 3) 2019 retained the 10 per cent quota. Therefore, the Legislative Assembly may comprise up to 56 members in cases where no women are elected.
Note 2:
HRPP has been in power since 1982. Mr. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been prime minister since 1998.
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Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
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2
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Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
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40.0%
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Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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62.7%
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Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
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Yes
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Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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1
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Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group | Total | Nov. 2021 | May 2022 |
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Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) | 32 | 5 | 1 |
Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) | 22 | 2 | 2 |
Members elected, by sex
- Number of men elected
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47
- Number of women elected
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4
Notes:
- The data on Samoa was excluded from the monthly ranking of women in national parliaments for May and June 2021, pending the election results. The results were retrospectively updated in August.
- By 27 July, the elections of 44 members, including four women, had been confirmed: 26 from FAST (including three women) and 18 from HRPP (including one woman). However, only the 26 FAST members had been sworn in as at 19 August. Seven other seats remained vacant, pending by-elections triggered by election petitions.
- No women were elected in the by-elections on 26 November. As at 15 December 2021, there were thus 4 women out of 51 members.
- At the close of the final count for the by-elections, the Election Commission invoked the provision for a 10 per cent quota for women and declared two more women elected based on the percentage of votes cast in their constituencies. The Head of State then issued writs of appointment for two women from HRPP, but their swearing-in was delayed by legal challenges filed by FAST.
- On 17 May 2022, the Supreme Court ordered that three new women (instead of two; one for FAST and two for HRPP) be sworn into parliament, bringing the total number of members to 54. As at 14 June 2022, there were 7 women out of 54 members.
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Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected by the number of seats filled.
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7.8%
- Women Directly Elected
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4
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Women in other categories
For example, ex-officio members of parliament, such as Cabinet members, members of the royal family, Attorney General, Speaker if appointed from outside parliament
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3
- Other notes on the elections
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Note on parties or coalitions winning seats:
- Several election petitions were filed after the general election in April 2021. Seven seats remained vacant until by-elections for those seats were held on 25 November 2021.
“Nov. 2021” in the table on parties or coalitions refers to the by-election results: FAST won 5 more seats, thereby securing a total of 31 seats. HRPP took 2 seats to win 20 seats in all.
- “May 2022” in the table refers to the breakdown of the three women members sworn into Parliament in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling of May 2022. The total number of seats for FAST increased from 31 to 32 while that for HRPP increased from 20 to 22.
- Sources
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Legislative Assembly (15.07.2021, 19.07.2021, 20.07.2021, 19.08.2021, 15.12.2021, 14.06.2022)
https://www.facebook.com/samoagovt/
https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Electoral-Amendment-Act-2021-Eng.pdf
https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Constitution-Amendment-Act-No.3-2019-Eng.pdf
New legislature
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Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
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54
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Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
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7
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Percentage of women after the election
The percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of women in this parliament/chamber by the current number of members.
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11.5%
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First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
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No information available
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Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of first-term parliamentarians by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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No information available
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Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
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24 May 2021
First Speaker of the new legislature
- Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
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Papali’iu Li’o Oloipola Taeu Masipa (Male)
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Political party
The political party to which the Speaker belonged to at the moment of the election. In some parliaments, the Speaker suspends or relinquishes their party membership during their term in office and is considered as an independent member.
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Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST)
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Date of election
The date of the election of the Speaker may be different from the date of the first session of the new legislature.
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24 May 2021