One Man Charged with Identify Fraud while Two are under Investigation

The accused is charged with identity fraud for attempting to allegedly use another voter's details to register.

June 18, 2025

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As voters rush to register for Samoa’s upcoming general elections, one man has been charged with identity fraud and two more cases are under police investigation.

The Office of the Electoral Commissioner have referred three cases to the police following suspicious and fraudulent voter behaviour during the registration process, Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo confirmed.

“The suspect is released on bail and will appear in court on the 8th of July. He is required to sign at Faleata outpost every Friday.”

The accused is charged for attempting to allegedly use another voter’s details to register.

The OEC are swamped with voter registrations due to close on Friday 4th July 2025, while close to 40% of the voting public are yet to register as of last Friday.

The Police Commissioner has warned the public against voter fraud, stressing the seriousness of the charges.

“Voter fraud is not a joke and anyone who commits the offence can face up to 10 years imprisonment.”

Samoa’s Office of the Electoral Commissioner has also warned the public that it is illegal for candidates, representatives and family members to fill out another person’s voter registration.

“Even if correct documents are submitted, registrations completed by someone else without lawful authority may constitute an offence,” the office has stated.

“We acknowledge that the registration period is currently very busy, however, this is not an excuse to shortcut the lawful voter registration process or break the law”.

“Upholding the integrity of our electoral process is a shared responsibility and must be respected by all..”

Police are preparing for general elections, where law enforcement will play a key role in safety and security as the nation takes to the polls. There are 431 expected polling booths across Upolu and Savaii on election day.