Politics in Samoa never ceases to amaze. This time, the nation is heading to the general elections faster than most had anticipated, but if anything, all involved would have a contingency plan for this scenario.

We are here because the motion to vote on the budget was allowed before it could be tabled. For the first time, the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) majority agreed on something. The two opposing sides voted to say no to the budget, seeing eye to eye after having cancelled each other in the two votes of no confidence.

What happens now is a legal step described very thoroughly in the Constitution, the supreme law of the nation. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa advises the Head of State to dissolve the parliament, who, through a written order, does this. The current cabinet then assumes a caretaker role until the elections. Under the constitution, the election should happen in 90 days from the day the Head of State issues the order. This means that we should have an election before the end of August.

While this situation will solve the issue of the fractured government, it creates a bigger problem in delivering a poll that would reflect the real voters in the country. Does this mean that the Office of the Electoral Commissioner will have to rely on the outdated 2021 electoral roll, which does not reflect those who have become of voting age between now and 2021? If this happens, this will also mean that the money spent on the new registration process has been poured down the drain. The new registration process is only 52 per cent complete, this is a conundrum.

The caretaker government is heading to the courts to seek clarity on whether to follow the Constitution’s call on having an election in 90 days or follow the Electoral Law process that allows for six months. The latter situation would definitely give more time to OEC to register everyone and ensure that no one is robbed of their right to vote.

The FAST party disintegrated and could not even hold onto one term. This was the result of power-grabbing and political leaders thinking that they were above the law. What unfolded this year was not the downfall of one party but of the country. In all of this, it is not the politicians who have suffered, it is the people. The snap election will set the country back economically and hinder progress. Now we will not have the laws that were supposed to be passed, including the much-needed changes sought by the OEC.

Now we are at the true fork in the road. In the coming weeks, campaigning will pick up momentum, there will be news of shifting allegiances and new political parties. In all of this, the future of one of the nation’s political heavyweights hangs in the balance. FAST chairman and leader Laauli Leuatea Schmidt is facing the court on multiple charges, and the trial has just begun. The trial will conclude in another four weeks, and a conviction and possible jail time could spell the end of his political career and for the FAST party.

There are also talks of some HRPP members leaving to join a new political party that will be spearheaded by those who called themselves the FAST government. People will hear many things, and many new promises will be made. Money will be splashed by those looking to buy their way in.

This is just another twist in the political saga of this country. Will it bring good news for the people or continue to burden them? Time will tell. Put on your seatbelts, the ride has just begun.