With the election period drawing near, the Office draws
attention to various developments causing concern with regard to the individual’s right
to properly participate in the forthcoming political elections. Some of these
developments include village council activities that may be discriminatory or coercive
of the individual in their effect; and campaign committees influencing voters’
preference by unscrupulous means including bribery. These activities impact upon the
right of voters to choose who they want to represent them in public office. It is
incumbent upon all in authority to protect and safeguard the right of the people of
Samoa to have free and fair elections.
The Office takes the opportunity to remind, the right to take part in the conduct of
public affairs, including the right to vote and to stand for elections is at the core of
democratic governance based on the will of the people. Genuine elections are a
necessary and fundamental component of an environment that protects and promotes the
human rights of all.
Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone has the
right to take part in the government of his/her country, directly or through freely chosen
representatives. This right is elaborated further in Article 1 of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of which Samoa is a party.
Free and fair elections facilitate the exercise of other associated citizen rights including
freedom of opinion (Art 19(1) ICCPR) which allows for the authentic assertion of
popular will, and also freedom of expression and information (Art 19(2) ICCPR) which
enables citizens to express partisan ideas and political will.
Samoa’s Constitution reflects and protects these rights to ensure that citizens are able to
live and participate freely and fully in the democratic society that is Samoa.
Improper actions and conduct during the election period are prohibited by law under
Part 8 (sections 89-94) and Part 9 (sections 95-99A) of the Electoral Act 1963. They
include among other things, interfering with or unlawfully influencing voters,
publishing defamatory matter at election time, bribery, treating, and undue influence.
The absence of adequate protection against these things can compromise the integrity of
the electoral process and lead to elections not being free or fair. The Office
acknowledges the authority of the Village Fono in village affairs as provided by law. In

that Samoa is a democratic country, the individual’s right to vote freely in fair political
elections must not be hampered in any way.
Accordingly, the Office urges Campaign committees, the Village Fono, and candidates
to respect citizen’s individual voting rights to ensure that we honour in our country the
protections expressed in our domestic law and required by our obligations in human
rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.