The Electoral Commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Alexander John Stanley had confirmed in his weekly update with local media that all voters and scrutineers are not permitted to have phones at the polling booths.
“The only exception are those allocated to be utilised by polling officials at the polling locations.”
This evening the Samoa Police have also issued a warning to ensure the public are aware of this:
Other restrictions inside the polling locations include the prohibition of wearing clothes featuring names of candidates or political parties, as well as talking and being noisy.
No Facebook Shutdown
There had also been a suggestion, for safety reasons, that Facebook should shut down for the 2 days of polling.
However, that has been set aside on account of the benefits of social media to distribute information and results from the general elections.
The concern was raised due to the toxic levels of abuse, defamation and threatening behaviour by Samoans on social media.
101,981 Registered Voters
At the closing of registrations, the O.E.C. confirmed a total of 101,981 eligible voters for this year’s general elections from the 51 constituencies, 26,876 voting in Savaii and 75,105 in electoral constituencies in Upolu.
The O.E.C. has published an official list of polling locations across the country for both pre-polling and general elections for the 51 electoral constituencies across Upolu and Savai’i.
CANDIDATES
The OEC has also released a public notice listing the official names of candidates.
According to Toleafoa, a total of 191 candidates had registered with the OEC.
However, one had pulled out of the race, while two were declared ineligible to run by the Supreme Court of Samoa following legal challenges.
Then there is Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo – the only uncontested seat of Samoa’s 2025 GE – leaving this year’s final number of candidates at 187, contesting parliamentary seats for Samoa’s 51 constituencies.
Campaign Material
All campaign flyers, banners, build boards and social media posts must be brought down by 12pm Sunday 24 August 2025.
Public Notices
