2001 Samoan general election

General elections were held in Samoa on 2 March 2001.[1] Prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi led the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) into the election. Opposition leader and former prime minister and future head of state, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi led the Samoan National Development Party (SNDP) into the election.[2] The HRPP won 23 seats, but initially fell short of a majority. The SNDP won 13 seats, the Samoan United People's Party secured one seat and the remaining 12 were won by independents. Following the election, all 12 independents joined the HRPP, giving the party a majority in parliament and allowing Tuila'epa to remain prime minister.[3][4]

2001 Samoan general election
2 March 2001
All 49 seats in the Legislative Assembly
25 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party
 
Leader Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi
Party HRPP SNDP
Leader since 23 November 1998 8 April 1988
Leader's seat Lepā Anoama'a East
Last election 24 seats, 43.5% 11 seats, 26.1%
Seats won 23 13
Seat change 1 2
Popular vote 34,262 17,966
Percentage 44.82% 23.50%
Swing 1.28 pp 2.59 pp
Prime Minister before election

Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
HRPP

 Subsequent Prime Minister

Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi
HRPP

Politics of Samoa
Constitution
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

Background

Prior to the election, in 1998 prime minister and HRPP leader Tofilau Eti Alesana resigned due to ill health. Tofilau was succeeded by deputy prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, and died the following year.[5] Tofilau’s government changed the country’s name from ‘Western Samoa’ to ‘Samoa’ in 1997.[6]

Electoral system
Further information: Legislative Assembly of Samoa

During the time of the 2001 election, Samoa’s legislative assembly, the Fono, was composed of 49 seats, with each member serving a five year term. 47 of the 49 members of the Fono were elected through electoral constituencies, whilst the remaining were elected through independent voters.[3]

Only Matai (Chiefs) were permitted to contest any of the 47 constituencies, whilst the other two seats were open to all individuals. Universal suffrage was granted in 1991, permitting all individuals aged 21 and older to vote in the election.[7] The controversial Electoral Amendment act, which came into effect in 2000, required candidates to have resided in Samoa for at least three years to qualify as a candidate. Previously, the requirement was 12 months.[4] Once the final election results are confirmed, the leader of the majority party is appointed prime minister by the O le Ao o le Malo (head of state). The O le Ao o le Malo then appoints cabinet ministers on the advice of the prime minister.[3]

Campaign

A total of four parties contested the election: the HRPP, SNDP, the Samoan United People’s Party and the Samoa All People’s party.[4]

The HRPP campaigned on increasing foreign aid to improve the country’s infrastructure. The party also announced its intentions to boost the economy. Prime minister Tuila'epa claimed that the opposition SNDP could not provide a credible alternative to the HRPP and the Samoan people.[8]

The SNDP platform focused on reforming the government and ceasing corruption. Opposition leader Tui Atua proposed that a special task force be established to end corruption within the government. He also blamed the HRPP administration for the mishandling of the state-owned Polynesian Airlines, which he claimed led to an increase in the nation’s debt.[8] The SNDP also denounced the government for a scandal revealed in 1997 involving the illegal sale of Samoan passports to citizens of China and Taiwan.[4] The party carried out weekly press conferences criticising the government.[8]

Tuila'epa predicted that the HRPP would retain power.[8]

Results
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Human Rights Protection Party34,26244.8223–1
Samoan National Development Party17,96623.5013+2
Samoan United People's Party1,8982.481New
Samoa All People's Party100.010New
Independents22,31529.1912–1
Total76,451100.00490
Valid votes76,45199.53
Invalid/blank votes3600.47
Total votes76,811100.00
Source: Nohlen et al.

Aftermath

The incumbent HRPP government lost its majority in parliament, though following the election, the party retained power due to the support of independent MPs.[9] MP for Falelatai & Samatau and former Attorney-General Misa Telefoni Retzlaff was elected deputy leader of the HRPP, filling the vacancy present since Tuila'epa's ascension to the party leadership and post of prime minister in 1998.[10] In addition, Misa was appointed deputy prime minister, a position that had also been vacant since Tuila'epa became prime minister.[11] Tuila'epa expressed that the appointment undercut rumours that Misa intended to leave the HRPP and form a new opposition party.[10] Five cabinet ministers lost reelection.[11]

Following the election, the opposition SNDP demanded a second recount in 20 constituencies. They claimed that the initial vote tally and the original recount were flawed.[12][13] Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi resigned as leader of both the opposition and the SNDP. Le Mamea Ropati MP for Lefaga & Falese'ela replaced him.[11][14]

The O le Ao o le Malo, Malietoa Tanumafili II, officially opened the 13th parliamentary session on 19 March 2001.[11]

See also

References
  1. Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p782 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
  2. "TUILAEPA AND TUIATUA RE-ELECTED IN SAMOA ELECTION". Pacific Islands Report. 4 March 2001. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  3. "Election Guide". Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  4. "SAMOA Parliamentary Chamber: Fono - Legislative Assembly". IPU. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  5. "SAMOA'S TOFILAU DIES". Pacific Islands Report. 22 March 1999. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  6. "AMERICAN SAMOA CONCERN OVER WESTERN SAMOA'S NAME CHANGE TO SAMOA". Pacific Islands Report. 31 July 1997. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  7. "REGIME CHANGE AND REGIME MAINTENANCE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC" (PDF). Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  8. "Samoans Gearing Up for Friday Election". Pacific Islands Report. 1 March 2001. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  9. "HRPP Reclaims Control of Samoa Government, Tuilaepa Still Prime Minister". Pacific Islands Report. 16 March 2001. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  10. "Samoa's Tuilaepa Returns as HRPP Leader; Misa Elected Deputy Leader". Pacific Islands Report. 14 March 2001. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  11. "Misa becomes new Minister of Finance". Samoa Observer. 20 March 2001. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020.
  12. "Samoa Opposition Allegdes Foul Play in Election Vote Recount". Pacific Islands Report. 16 March 2001. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  13. "Samoa Oppostion Claims Voting Irregularities". Pacific Islands Report. 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  14. "Now Another Opposition Leader in Samoa". Pacific Islands Report. 21 March 2001. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
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