1991 Western Samoan general election
General elections were held in Western Samoa on 5 April 1991. Following a referendum the previous year, they were the first under universal suffrage, although candidates still had to be members of the Matai.[1] The result was a victory for the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), which won 27 of the 47 seats.
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All 47 seats in the Legislative Assembly 24 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
At the 1988 general election, the coalition that had governed since 1985 consisting of former Prime Minister Tupua Tamasese Efi's Christian Democratic Party and a bloc of independent former HRPP members led by Prime Minister Vaʻai Kolone, won a narrow majority of 24 seats. Meanwhile, the HRPP secured 23 seats. However, on the day of the vote for prime minister, one coalition member crossed the floor, resulting in the HRPP's return to power and its leader, Tofilau Eti Alesana, became prime minister for a second time.[2][3] After the election, the coalition merged to form the Samoan National Development Party, with Tupua as leader and Vaʻai as deputy.[2]
In 1990, a constitutional referendum occurred, where enrolled voters decided on two proposals. The first was an amendment to introduce universal suffrage, extending voting rights to all citizens aged 21 and older. However, candidates in the general constituencies would still require a Matai title to run. Beforehand, eligible voters had to hold a Matai title, except for those enrolled in the individual voters' constituency.[4][5] The second was a proposition to establish an upper house of parliament consisting of members elected from the eleven traditional political districts. The HRPP supported universal suffrage, as with a smaller electorate, candidates could sway the election in their favour with relative ease via bribery and treating. The party, therefore, argued a larger electorate would curb the effects of corrupt electoral practices.[6] Universal suffrage passed with 52% of the vote; however, voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal for an upper house, with 60% having voted against it.[4]
Results
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| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
| Human Rights Protection Party | 29,768 | 49.58 | 27 | +4 | |
| Samoan National Development Party | 12,756 | 21.25 | 15 | New | |
| Other parties | 13,729 | 22.87 | 0 | – | |
| Independents | 3,783 | 6.30 | 5 | +5 | |
| Total | 60,036 | 100.00 | 47 | 0 | |
| Valid votes | 60,036 | 99.62 | |||
| Invalid/blank votes | 229 | 0.38 | |||
| Total ballots cast | – | ||||
| Registered voters/turnout | 59,299 | – | |||
| Source: Nohlen et al. | |||||
References
- Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p782 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
- Asofou So'o (1993). Universal Suffrage in Western Samoa: The 1991 General Elections (PDF). Canberra: Australian National University. pp. 5, 8. ISBN 0731515463. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- "Western Samoa" (PDF). Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- Dieter Nohlen (2001). Elections in Asia and the Pacific : A Data Handbook Volume II: South East Asia, East Asia, and the South Pacific. Oxford University Press. p. 786. ISBN 0199249598.
- Asofou So'o (1993). Universal Suffrage in Western Samoa: The 1991 General Elections (PDF). Canberra: Australian National University. pp. 2–3. ISBN 0731515463. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- Lafoa'I, Ioane (1991). "Universal Suffrage in Western Samoa: A Political Review". Journal of Pacific History. 26: 72–73. Retrieved 27 September 2023.