8pm, Tuesday 27 May, Mulinuu. Today has seen the Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC) at the Mulinuu Peninsula absolutely flooded with citizens rushing to ensure they are registered on the electoral roll, as Samoa heads to a snap election.
At 8pm this evening, the OEC office is pictured, packed with people waiting in line to re-register.
The OEC have been taking a proactive approach to ensure all eligible voters re-register following amendments to the Electoral Act, enacted under a certificate of urgency in 2024.
The OEC team has been conducting mass registration drives across Upolu and Savaii. Just today, the OEC team were in Savaii re-registering voters from Gagaemauga 1, Patamea, Samalaeulu, Mauga and Saleaula.
The OEC launched Samoa’s online registration portal in May 2024 and have been rolling out its re-registration campaign to ensure all eligible voters participate in Samoa’s election process.
The urgency felt by the OEC Office this evening follows the early dissolution of Samoa’s Legislative Assembly after 34 MPs voted against the Government’s budget motion in Parliament today.
All of the opposition Human Rights Protection Party MPs except for Maulolo Tavita Amosa, opposed the budget motion. They were joined by FAST Party leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt and his group to make up the 34 votes.
Prime Minister, Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa said she and her Cabinet accept the position taken by Parliament.
However, Fiame did also warn Parliament that three months may not be a realistic timeframe given the necessary process such as timeframe for re-registration currently being undertaken by OEC, and deadlines before the elections such as candidate registration.
The OEC online registration portal offers a convenience for eligible voters to register from anywhere in the world, as long as you have the necessary documents to prove citizenship, residency or your status as a matai of the Constituency.
It is important to note, that finalising the registration does require an in-person visit to the OEC office to capture biometric data and photographs to ensure the integrity and security of the voter registry.
- 16 locals and 14 overseas-based applicants Pass the Malua Entrance Exam - October 13, 2026
- Fuafua le Malo e Toe Faatū Nofoa e Lua mo le Au Palota Tu Taulaga - October 11, 2026
- Tumau Tuia Pu’a Fuatogi Letoa i le Nofoa o Safata 2: Teena le Talosaga a Leleua - October 9, 2026
