Wednesday 27 August 2025, Toamua Faleata Samoa. Pre-polling for Samoa’s 2025 General Elections are underway with special booths set up across Upolu for all those eligible and had registered to cast their votes before the official polling date this Friday 29th August 2025.
Thousands of Samoa’s elderly and as well as their carers were permitted under the law to register for pre-polling. Persons with disabilities as well as first responders and election officials were also eligible to pre-poll..
Pepe Fereti Solofa and his wife Solifono Solofa were glad to have voted today at their Electoral Constituency of Faleata 4.
“It was peaceful, there were no lines and we did not have to wait long,” shares Mrs Solifono Solofa.
Pagamalie Kenesareta Elia was also able to cast his vote at Toamua this afternoon, together with his daughter who registered as his carer.
Faleata 4 had over 200 voters registered for pre-polling which is 10% of the Electoral roll for the district.
There was a steady flow of voters seen at the polling booth stationed at the EFKS Hall in Toamua, with many arriving before the booths opened at 9am.
“We had come earlier, but it was packed this morning,” said Mrs Maraea Tupou of Toamua. “So we went back home and now that it is empty with no lines, it only took me a few minutes to vote.”
Mrs Tupou showed us her inked thumb that confirms she has voted. As in past general elections in Samoa, all voters will still be marked on their thumbs to show they have already been to the polls.
Media are permitted to take photos 50 metres away from the polling booth. That is much closer than the 2021 general elections when the media had to be 100 metres away.
Two Police Officers stationed at Toamua told Samoa Global News that media representatives from a local media outlet had walked right up to the polling booth and were standing inside the hall.
“Ua oo mai i totonu o le fale ma pue ai latou ata, ae ua valaau mai tagata iai ma tutuli ese..”
Police said members of the public were calling out to the media reps – telling them that they were standing too close with their cameras.
“It is important for Samoa to conduct a peaceful election,” said Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo.
“Media must adhere to the 50 metre rule imposed by the Electoral Commissioner and just practice our cultural norms of ava fatafata and va fealoai..”
Another crucial role for police during these elections is to ensure voters are not coerced or influenced in any way.
“There should be no signage near the booths including promotional t-shirts and Police Officers also have to make sure that committee members are not trying to influence or coherce the voters in any way,” said the Commissioner.
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