Samoa caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa says an attempt by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly to nominate a new government was legally flawed and did not surprise her.
The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Satama Leatisa Tala wrote a “report” to the Head of State to inform him about the composition of political parties in the Legislative Assembly.
In particular, the number of representatives held by each party, with the Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) holding the majority of members in the House.
According to Mata’afa, the report from the Clerk is flawed by law by citing provisions applied at the start of the parliamentary term, nominating a new Prime Minister and government based on the numbers.
She said the rejection of the national budget by the House reflects a lack of confidence in the government of the day and allowed her to advise the Head of State to dissolve Parliament and return to the polls.
Mata’afa continued that the current situation does not mean it’s a new parliamentary term that would invoke the legal provision cited by the Clerk to nominate a new government.
“There are many different actions taken in the government’s journey, especially when the dispute within the political party surfaced,” she said.
“We are aware that most of the time, they were saying we should resign, and they can take over, but there are laws to make the transition.
“The truth if the law did not provide for us to be here, we wouldn’t be sitting here, but we are here because it is provided for by the law and the same with the next step we are taking.
“How I feel, I’m not surprised, and they continue to try…”
In terms of the Clerk’s letter to the Head of State, Mata’afa said the Attorney General will respond to it and explain how the report to the Head of State is flawed.
She noted the Clerk might have felt it was his duty to write to the Head of State stressing the Head of State is also acting in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, with a snap election looming after the failure to pass the national budget, Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley has urged the public to take responsibility and register to vote, warning that the country is not fully prepared due to an incomplete electoral roll.
“We are prepared, but we are not prepared,” Tuiafelolo said. “The first thing is that our electoral roll is not in place at the moment.”
As of 4 pm on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, only 60,688 voters had registered, just 52 percent of the expected total of 117,225, a seven per cent increase from the April registrations.
“We’re short of 48 per cent, which is 56,537,” Tuiafelolo said. “All elections depend on the electoral roll.” Online registrations from overseas have reached a total of 750 fully registered participants.
While logistics for the election are in place, Tuiafelolo emphasised that the vote cannot proceed unless the roll is at least 90 percent complete. Poll worker recruitment is underway, with about 1,000 individuals expressing interest, but training originally scheduled for July will now likely be moved to June.
Funding for the election remains uncertain. “That’s an issue with the government,” Tuiafelolo said, adding that $3 million (US$1.11 million) was included in the proposed but unpassed budget.
The current Electoral Act mandates that the roll close and nominations be submitted six months before a general election. These deadlines are no longer feasible. Tuiafelolo confirmed the commission is working with the Attorney General to seek a Supreme Court declaration to revise these timelines.
Despite extensive public outreach over the past two years, including extended office hours now closing at 8 pm, Saturday openings, and media campaigns via radio and text messages through Vodafone and Digicel, Tuiafelolo expressed concern over low registration.
“It really comes down to our people. They should see that it is their legal responsibility to register.”
Following the announcement of the snap election, Tuiafelolo noted a sudden surge in registrations on Wednesday morning as members of the public filled up the waiting areas of the Office of the Electoral Commissioner in Mulinuu. “Our people are used to the word last minute. We’re trying to change that kind of mentality.”
Leufisa Tufuga of Motootua, who visited the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (OEC) on Wednesday, faced a one-hour wait, which she acknowledged was better than during the previous election.
“I waited about an hour and then it was finished. It was easier and faster to register this time around,” she said. When asked why it is important to register, Tufuga replied, “Because I am ready to see a new government.” Her plea to the public: “This is a good time to come and register because usually, before it closes, everyone comes in at once.”
Tuiafelolo reminded the public to bring the proper documentation: a birth certificate and an ID, with an additional Matai certificate if registering under a Matai title.
“Make sure you get all the documents that are required because there’s no use coming here and having only one document.” said Tuiafelolo.
While registration is free, printing an ID at the OEC costs $10 (US$3.71).