Ballot boxes for Samoa general election Photo: RNZ Pacific/Tipi Autagavaia
A proposed change to repeal the current electoral roll and register every eligible voter again has attracted widespread concerns from Samoa's opposition who claim the change needs more time to be implemented.
The two main amendments to the Electoral Amendment Act 2024 were tabled under a certificate of urgency on Tuesday by the Minister of Police Faualo Harry Schuster, who is also responsible for the Office of the Electoral Commission.
Another main amendment widens the scope of the online registration to cover Samoan citizens abroad to apply online but have to come to Samoa to complete the rest of the registration with biometrics that can only be done in Samoa.
The plan is to utilise the new system for the 2026 elections.
Amongst the challenges raised include the limited time to carry out the re-registration, further amendments that may change the division of electoral constituency, and having overseas-based Samoans outnumber local voters.
Deputy opposition leader Lauofo Fonotoe Pierre pointed out that the current law made it compulsory for voters to register in their place of residence.
But he said this could be problematic with Samoans who reside overseas trying to satisfy the current law on place of residence given they reside overseas.
Lauofo said the security of information collected by the office for its biometric system is another matter of concern.
Opposition secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi spoke about the obsolete system and suggested the information on the person's name and their parents remained the same and should be exported to the new system to make the registration process smooth and the person could provide their fingerprints and photo after.
In tabling the amendments, Minister Faualo said the changes would ensure everyone was treated equally under the law. He pointed out that the 2019 electoral law only allowed those studying overseas and officials in diplomatic offices to register through the internet.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said the changes could not be delayed because the old system no longer worked, and therefore, the need to migrate to the new system was inevitable as the Commissioner needed the law to be passed to make the transition legal.
