Voters may expect heavy rainfall starting Sunday and through the start of the election week, the Samoa Meteorology Division has announced. 

In a public statement issued on Saturday morning, the MET Office says whilst there is no advisory or warning in effect yet, a heavy rain and flood advisory may be issued soon if predictions remain. 

“A moist Easterly wind flow with brief passing showers is observed on latest satellite imageries this morning affecting the islands,” the report reads.

“However, a trough of low pressure is forecasted to make landfall over Samoa by Sunday afternoon with increased cloud cover and rainfall activities through the start of the new week. 

“With this scenario, the Heavy Rain and Flood Advisories are likely to be issued for all of the islands if current predictions remain.” 

Every voter in Samoa is likely to be keeping a close eye on the weather, especially those who are expected to travel by boat from Upolu to cast their vote in Savaii. 

The continuity of the inter-island ferry schedule between Upolu and Savaii relies heavily on the weather.

An afternoon district forecast for Samoa shows that isolated showers, scattered towards the evening, is expected for all of Samoa starting this Sunday. 

From Monday, the public is warned of scattered periods of rain with possible heavy falls.

Last Friday, the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (O.E.C.) released a full schedule of the pre polling locations for dates, Monday, 5 April to Thursday, 8 April, 2021.

Each constituency has been allocated four locations for pre-polling, one for each of the four days - Monday to Thursday. 

Only voters who have registered for pre-polling are able to cast their votes during this time. If they are unable to vote during those four days, they can still cast their votes in their constituencies on Friday. 

According to the Office of the Electoral Commissioner, there are just shy of 130,000 people registered to vote, with about 7,000 of those registered for pre-polling. 

The roll is officially closed, and unregistered citizens may not vote until the next election, provided they register in time.

Early last month, the Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II officially ordered the General Election, issuing the final notice for Election Day to be on Friday 9 April. 

This year’s election is the 17th General Election since gaining independence in 1962.