Samoa
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08
Unitary parliamentary republic
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 197,773
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08
2,842 km2
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08
116,000
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-11-30
| **Eligible by number of seats won | |
| - Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) | |
| - Tautua Samoa Party | |
Number of registered political parties-References:
- Number of polling stations
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Average number of voters per polling station
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting age
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 21
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-10-11 Plurality (FPTP)
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-10-11 the Head of State shall hold office for a term of 5 years from the date on which he assumes the functions of his office
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 Samoan general election, 2016
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 4 March 2016
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 49
Number of elected candidates-References:
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 70%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08
81,656
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 Part of Constitution - Separate legislation
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-12-19 Constitution, Art. 109 (1):
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-12-19 Constitution, Art. 109 (1):
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-12-19 Constitution, Art. 109 (1):
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-12-19 N/A
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-09-02 Office of the Electoral Commissioner
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08
Vision:
Samoa's electoral system is embraced by the people and its processes easily understood, trusted and accepted.
Mission:
To enhance Samoa's system of government through the efficient and effective execution of its electoral system and processes, and by the provision of effective electoral services to enable people to exercise their rights and responsibilities under the Constitution.
Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 The legislature
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-10-11 A national government department
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 1 - 10 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 For a specified number of years
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 Head of State - Other
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-15
Unitary parliamentary democracy with eleven administrative divisions. The two main islands are Savai'i and Upolu with four smaller islands surrounding the landmasses. The capital city is Apia.
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 41 constituencies
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 "Equality" of population - Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries - Communities of interest/cultural concerns
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 Legislature (1st chamber)
Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:
- Requirements on the right to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the right to vote revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral Eligibility
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the eligibility revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirements for party registration
- Last Updated : 2016-11-02 The registration application must be accompanied by a declaration that the party has at least 8 current financial members who are eligible to enroll as electors or voters.
Requirements for party registration-References:
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-11-02 independent candidates can compete in legislative elections
Candidate nomination-References:
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-02
- Requirement
Citizenship
Residence
Registration
Other
Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Amount of fee
- Return of fee
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-02 Yes
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-02 Election Management Body
Who is responsible for the voters list -References:
- Voters list preparation procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Inspection and objection procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Definition
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Prohibited forms of campaigning
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is not permitted to campaign
- Campaign Finance
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Campaign expense limit
- Income and expenditure of campaign expense
- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure
- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions
- Reimbursement of campaign expense
- Presiding officers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① How many of officers in a polling station
② Roles of each officer
③ How we nominate the officers
- Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Polling station location criteria
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting hours
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Is compulsory or voluntary?
② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?
- Ballot Paper
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots
② What has to be included in the ballot paper?
③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper
④ Valid and invalid ballot paper
- Voting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start ofvoting
- Process of voting
- End of voting
- Marking method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Who are subjected to do
② Voting procedures
- Counting Location
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 The polling stations
Counting Location-References:
- Counting period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Vote counting method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate - Counted by hand - Copies of results are provided to observers - Observers and party agents are permitted to take their own copies of the results
Counting Procedures-References:
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 Court order
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-26
Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:
- Overseas voters list preparation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Where to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting procedure for early voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods used to transport ballot papers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Apportioning of National Assembly seats
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Results Announcement
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Is the announcement of preliminary result required?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Deadline for announcement of final results
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reason for holding a by- or re-election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- By-election dates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral process
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
- Last Updated : 2016-11-15 No limitations on government owned radio and television stations, but political parties pay if they wish to conduct a speech from other personally owned stations and newspapers
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 legislative elections
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 1 day
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-03 Court of general jurisdiction (including Supreme Court)
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-15
Time for presentation of electionpetition - (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an election petition shall be presented within seven (7) working days after the day on which the Commissioner has publicly notified the result of the poll.
(2) If the petition questions the election or result upon an allegation of corrupt practice and specifically alleges a payment of money or other reward to have been made by the member or on his orher account or with his or her knowledge and consent since the day of such public notification in pursuance or furtherance of the alleged corruptpractice, it may be presented within seven (7) days after the date of thepayment.
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-19 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-11-02 Political parties receive direct funding from public funds, but are chanelled through the Office of Legislative Assembly budget every financial year
Direct public funding-References:
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-03
1.BiometricRegistration System 2.Synchronization ofData to Server 3.Website and Email 4.PC and Laptops
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-12-19 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-11-15 Female Population: 96,740
· Is Samoa a signatory to CEDAW: N/A
· Has Samoa ratified CEDAW: Yes, Accession (25 September 1992)
· Gender Quota: Yes
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 3 (6.12%)
· Human Development Index Position: 105 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-15
Is Samoa a signatory to CRPD: Yes (24 September 2014)
Has Samoa ratified CRPD: No
Population with a disability: 29,666
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 Election time only
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-26 conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-19
N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03