UN wishes Samoa well for national elections

The United Nations in Samoa has wished the country well as it prepares to vote in the seventh election since universal suffrage was granted in 1991. 

"The United Nations Country Team is confident that the 2021 elections will unfold peacefully and will lead to a positive outcome for the people of Samoa," said Simona Marinescu, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau in a statement released today. "Free and fair elections are the expression of respect for human rights and dignity, and the cornerstone of democratic governance and human development."

Although the UN in Samoa will not act as official observers in the 9 April elections, Dr. Marinescu has re-iterated that the UN Resident Coordinator will maintain a "presence on the ground to get a general sense as to how polling is going, and to receive updates on the voting process for internal reporting purposes."

"The position of the United Nations in national elections in general is objective, impartial, neutral and independent, and guided by the principles of national sovereignty and ownership," she said. 

More than 128,000 people in Samoa are registered to vote. This election will see 192 candidates, including 22 women contesting 51 seats in parliament. The UN-run Women in Leadership in Samoa Programme has provided training to all of the women candidates standing. 

More than 8,000 voters have already cast their ballot in pre-polling. Elections start at 09.00 and end at 15.00. Preliminary results should be released by the evening.    

See the full statement here.