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2011 Samoan general election

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FieldValue
countrySamoa
typeparliamentary
previous_election2006 Samoan general election
previous_year2006
next_election2016 Samoan general election
next_year2016
seats_for_electionAll 49 seats in the Legislative Assembly
majority_seats25
election_date4 March 2011
image1Prime Minister of Samoa, Mr. Susuga Tuilaepa Lupesoli'ai Sa'ilele Malielegaoi receives the Queen's Baton Delhi 2010 (cropped).jpg
leader1Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
party1Human Rights Protection Party
last_election150.20%, 33 seats
seats129
seat_change14
popular_vote148,771
percentage155.56%
swing15.36 pp
image2Tautua
leader2Vaʻai Papu Vailupe
party2Tautua Samoa Party
last_election2–
seats213
seat_change2New
popular_vote221,692
percentage224.71%
swing2New
map_image2011 Samoan general election (results by constituency).svg
map_captionResults by constituency
titlePrime Minister
posttitleSubsequent Prime Minister
before_electionTuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
before_partyHuman Rights Protection Party
after_electionTuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
after_partyHuman Rights Protection Party

General elections were held in Samoa on 4 March 2011, to determine the composition of the 15th Parliament. Two parties contested the election, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), which had been in power for most of the time since 1982, led by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and the newly founded Tautua Samoa Party (TSP) led by Vaʻai Papu Vailupe, which several minor parties had merged into. The election occurred following amendments to the electoral act in 2009, including the introduction of the Monotoga law, a requirement for aspiring candidates to dedicate traditional village service and commitments. As a result, three TSP aspiring candidates, including a challenger for the prime minister's seat, were disqualified by the Supreme Court for failing to satisfy this law.

The HRPP won re-election with a majority of 29 seats, while three cabinet ministers were unseated. The TSP secured 13 seats and independents won seven. Only two of the seven female candidates were successful. Following the election, all the independents joined the HRPP, handing the party a two-thirds majority with 36 seats. Several successful candidates were later stripped of their seats by the Supreme Court due to electoral petitions, which included the TSP leader. As a result, the TSP replaced Vaʻai Papu Vailupe with Deputy Leader Palusalue Faapo II.

Background

During the previous general election held in 2006, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party won a landslide victory, winning 33 seats. The opposition Samoan Democratic United Party (SDUP) secured ten seats, and independents won the remaining six. The SDUP later lost one seat due to an electoral petition. Later that year, in August 2006, the SDUP removed its leader, Le Mamea Ropati, and replaced him with Deputy Leader Asiata Saleimoa Vaai. The SDUP then fragmented and led to the departure of two MPs from the party, including Le Mamea Ropati. As a result, the SDUP's recognition as a parliamentary party ceased because it fell below the eight-seat threshold, and the parliament classified the party's remaining MPs as independents.

On 11 May 2007, long-serving O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II died. Parliament unanimously voted for Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, a member of the Council of Deputies, former prime minister and son of former Co-Head of State Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole, to succeed Malietoa.

In September 2009, the government switched the country from right to left-hand driving to enable less costly vehicle imports from Australia and New Zealand. The change was controversial as most vehicles were on the left-hand drive, generating one of the largest protests in Samoan history. The same month, Samoa was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami that claimed the lives of 158 people in the country. The prime minister faced criticism for allegedly mishandling relief funds.

Eleven opposition MPs from the SDUP and independents formed the Tautua Samoa Party in 2008 to provide parliamentary opposition to the HRPP. Nine members of parliament subsequently aligned themselves with the new party. However, in 2009, speaker of parliament, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua, declared their seats vacant and ordered by-elections to take place. The speaker argued the TSP members had broken parliamentary protocol by joining a new party during the legislative session. But the Supreme Court later ruled the speaker's decision to be unlawful, cancelling the by-elections and restoring the TSP MPs. The following year, parliament passed an amendment forbidding MPs from changing parties; those who would change their affiliation would have to run in a by-election to retain their seat. After the amendment's passage, only three MPs remained official TSP members and competed in subsequent by-elections; one member successfully retained his seat unopposed, while another secured a narrow win. Former Party Chair Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi was narrowly defeated by an HRPP member. In September 2010, the Samoa Party merged into the TSP. Feo Nemaia Esau, the Samoa Party's president, said the purpose of the merger was to strengthen the opposition. The TSP initially intended to refrain from electing a party leader until after the election to choose one of the successful parliamentary candidates. However, this prompted Prime Minister Malielegaoi to describe the TSP as a "headless monster" and he challenged the party to select a leader before the election. The party subsequently elected Vaʻai Papu Vailupe, son of former prime minister Vaai Kolone, as leader in December 2010.

Electoral system

During the time of the 2011 election, parliament was composed of 49 members, with all serving a five-year term. Forty-seven members represented forty-one village-based constituencies, of which six of the larger electorates had two MPs, while the rest were single-member constituencies. Two members, elected from a nationwide constituency, represented individual voters, mostly non-ethnic Samoans and individuals with partial Samoan ancestry. Except for the latter, to qualify, candidates were required to hold a matai title, while all were elected using the first-past-the-post voting system. Candidates were also required to have reached the age of 21 and have resided in Samoa for at least three years before the nomination date. In 2009, parliament amended the electoral act to include the monotoga law, a requirement for individuals to dedicate service to their respective villages to qualify as candidates. Under the monotoga law, a requirement for parliamentary hopefuls to qualify as candidates was for their village mayors to approve their nomination.

Voters

Universal suffrage was introduced in 1991, permitting all Samoan citizens over the age of 21 to vote in person. Voting registration usually closes six months before a general election and re-opens immediately after. Voters could elect to enrol in a constituency rather than the one where they reside by right of significant family ties or matai titles. As a result, the population of constituencies and the constituency's voter roll have not always correlated. Voters residing in Apia that were registered to vote in constituencies outside the capital but were unable to travel to their electoral districts on election day were permitted to cast a special vote at designated polling stations.

Eastern Samoans

Before the election, the electoral commissioner of American Samoa announced that American Samoans who cast ballots in elections held in the Independent State of Samoa would subsequently be ineligible to vote in their own country. Under United States electoral laws, voters can lose their right to vote if they cast a ballot in another country's election.

Schedule

Prime Minister Malielegaoi announced the election date on 5 October 2010. The 14th Parliament was dissolved on 27 January 2011,

DateEvent
4 November 2010Registration for voters closes
27 January 2011The 14th Parliament is dissolved
18 February 2011Nomination for candidates opens
25 February 2011Candidate registration and withdrawal deadline
3 March 2011Conclusion of campaigning, mandatory removal of campaign material from public areas
4 March 2011Election Day
7 March 2011Special votes are counted
8–14 March 2011Official count
21 March 2011Official results are announced and the writs are returned

Parties and candidates

A total of 159 candidates competed in the election, and two parties contested; the ruling HRPP, led by Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi, and the TSP, led by Vaʻai Papu Vailupe. Of the HRPP candidates nominated, 79 contested, while there were 40 TSP and Independent candidates each.

PartyLeaderCandidatesFounded2006 seats
Human Rights Protection Party}};"Human Rights Protection PartyTuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi791979
Tautua Samoa Party}};"Tautua Samoa PartyVaʻai Papu Vailupe402008
Independent politician}};"Independents40

Disqualified candidates

Several parliamentary hopefuls either withdrew or had their candidacy revoked. In December 2010, veteran politician Tuilagi Motutoa Vavae Leo II, a former deputy speaker and HRPP candidate, was convicted by the Supreme Court of attempted sexual assault, terminating his campaign.

A month before the election, the electoral commissioner disqualified three TSP candidates. The mayors in their respective villages had refused to sign their nomination forms due to their supposed failure to satisfy the monotoga law. One of the disqualified candidates, Tu‘ula Tuitui of the Saleapaga village, who was vying for the prime minister's seat, stated he had provided proof to the mayor that he had worked for the village in various ways, notably by taking part in recovery work after the 2009 earthquake and tsunami. Tuitui also claimed that chiefs and orators of Saleapaga had repeatedly requested he not run against the prime minister. The three TSP rejects unsuccessfully challenged their disqualifications in court. TSP founder Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi criticised the disqualifications and emphasised how no HRPP candidates were affected. However, he also highlighted that the TSP declined to have any candidates from the ruling party disqualified, expressing, "we believe that anybody can run, [and] exercise their right to compete in the election."

Public servants

Shortly before the poll, a cabinet directive ordered public servants running for Parliament to resign in contravention of Samoa's electoral act, which permits public servants to take special leave to contest elections. The TSP denounced the order as unconstitutional.

Campaign

The HRPP, which had governed Samoa for most of the time since 1982, promised to focus on health, education, agriculture, infrastructural development, the development of renewable energy, and a pledge to "turn Samoa into the sports hub of the Pacific". In a speech on 22 February, the Prime Minister emphasised the party's maturity and experience in government. He promised continuity in policies and drew attention to what he described as the government's major achievements in recent years: the election of the head of state; the development of infrastructure; economic growth, and the development of businesses and the private sector; a well-managed budget; the hosting of the 2007 South Pacific Games; the switching from right- to left-hand driving throughout the country and the government's response to the 2009 earthquake and tsunami. For the future, the prime minister announced a broad range of policies to improve Samoans' health, including an increase in the number of locally trained medical staff, an increase in the number of hospitals, a policy of compulsory twice-a-year testing of all Samoans to detect cancer in advance, and the promotion of organic farming, along with a "bonus scheme" to reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides in agriculture, to facilitate healthier diets. He stated that these promises could all be realistically financed and concluded: "Your one vote can set the direction of Samoa for the next five years. It’s very important who you choose because you could benefit or you will bring a curse on you and your family for the next five years. So vote for the HRPP and be blessed". Malielegaoi predicted that the HRPP would win 40 seats. Days before the election, the prime minister promised to step down at the next election if his party remained in government.

The TSP promised to focus on lowering the cost of living and halting the government's Casino and Gambling Bill, which would legalise casino gaming in the country. The Value Added Goods and Services Tax would be abolished; pensions would be raised for the elderly; children below the age of 12 would receive free health care. The party also promised to "encourage farming and develop agriculture", "lower the cost of electricity and other utilities", " develop education and health services through the raising of salaries and enforcing compulsory education", and promote the development of the private sector. Asked how these promises would be funded, particularly considering the promised abolition of VAGST, the party's deputy leader, Palusalue Faapo II, stated that "God will provide for us" and that the party would seek additional international aid. He added that the HRPP government had "wasted millions on unnecessary developments such as the new buildings towering over everything in Apia" and that under a TSP government, all public spending would be transparent and accountable.

Conduct

The TSP accused the HRPP of engaging in the practice of vote buying and treating, especially on the day before the election. The prime minister dismissed these allegations and claimed that it was Samoan tradition. He also said that gift-giving was no different to politicians in other nations financing their campaigns.

A total of 300 police officers were present to safeguard the electoral process. In the lead-up to the election, the Samoan police force conducted regular safety briefings, despite the lack of imminent threats. Campaigning ceased at midnight on 3 March; on election day, polling stations closed at 3 pm local time, although other stations, including special polling booths, remained open past that time. Individuals who had not voted but had been waiting in line at stations that closed at 3 pm were allowed to cast their ballots. There were no reports of violence, and a liquor ban was in place during the election. The Pacific Islands Forum, which sent a delegation to observe the electoral process, declared the election to have been conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

Results

Final results showed the HRPP retained its majority, winning 29 seats, while the TSP secured 13 and independents won seven. Around 90% of registered voters participated in the election. Three cabinet ministers, such as justice minister Unasa Mesi Galo, lost re-election. Only two female candidates, including Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, were elected. Two candidates were elected unopposed, one of whom was the prime minister.

By constituency

ConstituencyTurnoutPolitical partyCandidateVotes%
Aana Alofi 21,133Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiʻataua617
Independent politician}}IndependentTanuvasa Muao Seiuli27023.8
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPLemana Ale Logo24621.7
Aana Alofi 32,001Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPToeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster1,038
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPVaeolenofoafia Tapasu41120.5
Independent politician}}IndependentManu Taialofa Naseri25212.6
Independent politician}}IndependentTapusoa M. Tuigamala1638.1
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTagoiaega Maotua Levi1376.8
Aiga i le tai2,394Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPIfopo Matia Filisi879
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPMulipola Oliva73230.6
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPSau Siaosi Natapu48720.3
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLeiataualesa Iosefo Faauileula II2259.4
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTaimalelagi Naotala713.0
Alataua West824Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLafaitele Patrick Leiataualesa514
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTuaiaufai Eliko17020.6
Independent politician}}IndependentTuioti Aliimalemanu Sakaria14017.0
Aleipata Itupa I Lalo1,818Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTafua Maluelue Tafua882
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPPaepae Kapeli Sua47726.2
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPLetiu Tamatoa Penaia26114.4
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPFaagasealii Sapoa Feagiai19810.9
Aleipata Itupa I Luga1,780Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTaua Kitiona Seuala1,009
Independent politician}}IndependentFuataga Kasimani77143.3
Anoamaa East1,871Independent politician}}IndependentAlaiasa Filipo Schwarts Hunt1,094
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPMoefaauo Lufilufi59231.6
Independent politician}}IndependentGagaeolo Manase Reupena1276.8
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTofae Alailima583.1
Faasaleleaga 21,763Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPPapalii Lio Taeu Masipau950
Independent politician}}IndependentMaileimalo Eneliko Pau49628.1
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPPapalii Mamea Petaia31718.0
Faasaleleaga 31,337Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTuileutu Alavaa Voi678
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPUnasa Mesi Galo43732.7
Independent politician}}IndependentIoelu Sua22216.6
Faasaleleaga 41,400Independent politician}}IndependentPeseta Vaifou Tevaga597
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPSua Vui-Seinafolava Rimoni Ah Chung31122.2
Independent politician}}IndependentMulitalo Siafausi Vui24217.6
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPVui Taala Tupe Ioane24217.6
Falealupo1,049Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPAeau Peniamina572
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPSeumanutafa Akerei Salesa28327.0
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAeau Niulesa Mareko19418.5
Faleata East1,740Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPAveau Niko Palamo774
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPVaitagutu Viliamu Masoe56432.4
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPManuleleua Lauese Manuleleua26315.1
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLeatinuu Ray Leo II1398.0
Faleata West3,732Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPLealailepule Rimoni Aiafi2,341
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAle Vena Ale1,39137.3
Falelatai & Samatau1,627Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTaefu Lemi647
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTaefu Olomoutu Salapu Asalele49430.4
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPManoo Kato Kini48629.9
Gagaemauga 12,327Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPSala Fata Pinati1,664
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTuala Iosefo Ponifasio66328.5
Gagaemauga 2864Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPLevaopolo Talatonu Vaai304
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAufai Amalamo23126.7
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAufai Uesile19522.6
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPVaaaoao Niupulusu Leo13415.5
Gagaemauga 31,406Independent politician}}IndependentFaamoetauloa Ulaitino Faale Tumaalii721
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPGaluvao Viliamu Sepulona60543.0
Independent politician}}IndependentSeuamuli Sapio Tooala805.7
Gagaifomauga 1825Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTuiloa Anitelea504
Independent politician}}IndependentGaiga Aukusitino32138.9
Gagaifomauga 21,985Independent politician}}IndependentSooalo Umi Feo Mene1,051
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPSafuneituʻuga Paʻaga Neri40920.6
Independent politician}}IndependentPaiaaua Iona Sekuini21310.7
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPFeo Nemaia Esau1959.8
Independent politician}}IndependentManuta Lavamaile Uesile1175.9
Gagaifomauga 3887Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLaauli Leuatea Schmidt627
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPFaaulusau Simi Laulua26029.3
Lefaga & Faleseela2,186Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLe Mamea Ropati1,095
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPToleafoa Ken Poutoa1,09149.9
Lotofaga641Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa469
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPFiaola Iosua Lole17226.8
Palauli East2,180Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAfoafouvale John Moors798
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPMisa Lisati Leleisiuao Palemene78135.8
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLeavaiseeta Savavau L. Tuipolu52324.0
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPToluono Feti592.7
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTaulafoga Iaulualo Fatufala190.9
Palauli Le Falefa1,808Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPFaumuina Tiatia Liuga918
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPLe Tagaloa Pita50828.1
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTiatia Mapesone38221.1
Palauli West1,847Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAgafili Patisela Eteuati Tolovaa527
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTaua Falaimo44023.8
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAfoa Amituanai Mauli38420.8
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAmituanai Malalatele Tausisi25613.9
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPToilolo Tamala Lolani Toilolo24013.0
Sagaga Le Falefa2,935Independent politician}}IndependentTuisa Tasi Patea1,178
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLoau Keneti Sio1,11538.0
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPMaaolegalu Peniata Maiava34711.8
Independent politician}}IndependentMuaiava Tino Umu Toeava29510.1
Sagaga Le Usoga2,059Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPMuagututagata Peter Ah Him844
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPFata Meafou68433.2
Independent politician}}IndependentMaulolo Tavita Amosa53125.8
Satupaitea931Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTavui Tiafau Tafu Salevao457
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAsiata Wairaki Toevai37640.4
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPAloiamoa Tua Savaii9810.5
Siumu1,569Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTuuu Anasii Leota867
Independent politician}}IndependentFaalogo Iosefa70244.7
Vaimauga East2,377Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau1,010
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTafaese Uili Ioane57324.1
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTalifeau Malaki Iakopo42718.0
Independent politician}}IndependentMaposua Solomona Toailoa36715.4
Vaa O Fonoti1,894Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTialavea Tionisio Hunt774
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTaito Faitele66335.0
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTogiai Eteuati Faiilagi23512.4
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTogia Ioane Sagapolutele1528.8
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTautaiolefua Nomeneta Ofoia703.7
Vaisigano 11,657Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPVaai Papu Vailupe731
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTufuga Gafoaleata Faitua69341.8
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTaavao Tiaina Tapu23314.1
Vaisigano 21,261Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPMotuopuaa Uifagasa Aisoli659
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTapulesatele Mautene60247.7
Source: Psephos

Double member constituencies

ConstituencyTurnoutPolitical partyCandidateVotes%
Aana Alofi 11,844Independent politician}}IndependentTuitama Talalelei Tuitama1,275
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLeaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi1,25326.9
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAiono Tile Gafa1,19425.6
Independent politician}}IndependentFesolai Vaisilika Tuigamala68214.6
Independent politician}}IndependentMuliaumasealii Sio Vaauli2555.5
Falealili5,351Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTuiloma Pule Lameko1,286
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTusa Misi Tupuola1,16221.7
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPFuimaono Gaoia Tei1,02319.1
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPFuimaono Falefa Lima67012.5
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPFalaiva Vaiula Sialaoa66012.3
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAlaifea Laititi Belford55010.3
Faasaleleaga 14,779Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPGatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana-Gidlow817
Independent politician}}IndependentMagele Mauiliu Magele68614.4
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPPauli Pipi Tariu65714.4
Independent politician}}IndependentTuilimu Manuele Paletasala4589.6
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTiata Sili Pulufana4439.3
Independent politician}}IndependentLeuo Lealiiee Taugauli4138.6
Independent politician}}IndependentSealiialofa Tupaimatuna Taiese3457.2
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPFiu Matamua Loimata II3367.0
Independent politician}}IndependentMatamua Sili Alapati2645.5
Independent politician}}IndependentTofilau Semeli Sinai2415.0
Independent politician}}IndependentTaotua Ioane Matamua1192.5
Safata5,841Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPPalusalue Faʻapo II1,323
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPManualesagalala Enokati Posala1,29322.1
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLeaana Ronnie Posini1,10919.0
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPLeota-Suatele Tufele74812.8
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPSaunoamaalii Finafinau74812.8
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTuia Pua Fuatogi Letoa62010.6
Salega3,449Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPAfualo Wood Salele1,020
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTapuai Toese Ah Sam88025.5
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPTapuai Sepulona Moananu68219.8
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPToomata Alapati Poese53515.5
Independent politician}}IndependentSelu Letoa Reupena3329.6
Vaimauga West7,234Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPLefau Harry Schuster1,973
Independent politician}}IndependentLenatai Victor Tamapua1,37719.0
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPAnauli Pofitu Fesili1,00313.9
Independent politician}}IndependentFaaolesa Katopau T. Ainuu72810.1
Independent politician}}IndependentTaumanupepe Keleso7029.7
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPVaea Ivana Eli6478.9
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPPatu Ativalu Togi II6128.5
Independent politician}}IndependentLetaa Tanielu Devoe1311.8
Independent politician}}IndependentSagauga Sabu Utaileuo610.8
Individual Voters5,188Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPPapaliitele Niko Lee Hang1,635
Independent politician}}IndependentMaualaivao Pat Ah Him1,37926.6
Human Rights Protection Party}}HRPPFaleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai89717.3
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPTamaleta Taimang Jensen77014.8
Tautua Samoa Party}}TSPMuliagatele Alfred Hunt4628.9
Independent politician}}IndependentTupa Anthony Stephen Brown450.9
Source: Psephos

Uncontested

The following two candidates were elected without opposition:

ConstituencyCandidateParty
Anoamaa WestFonotoe Pierre LauofoHRPP
LepāTuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Aftermath

Following the election, all seven independents joined the HRPP, giving the ruling caucus a two-thirds majority with a total of 36 seats. The TSP's founder and chief whip, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, expressed confidence that the party would perform well in the next election cycle. He also stressed the importance of party unity and stated, "Five years from now, we should definitely win. This [election] is a good start for us, and we have a good opposition, so we should start our campaign right now, and that's what we are going to do now, is prove to the people and educate them and tell them what Samoa needs, and the next election should be a[n] easy battle for us."

Several members of parliament later lost their seats by order of the Supreme Court due to electoral petitions. Among these individuals were Opposition Leader Vailupe and the associate minister of natural resources and environment, Taua Kitiona Seuala. By-elections subsequently took place in July in the ousted member's constituencies, all were won by HRPP candidates. These results increased the ruling caucus' seat share to 37, whilst the opposition lost a seat, leaving them with 12 members. Following Vailupe's ousting, the TSP elected Deputy Leader Palusalue Faapo II to replace him as leader of the party and the opposition. The party also elected former speaker of parliament, Aeau Peniamina, as deputy leader. The 15th parliamentary session commenced on 18 March 2011.

References

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