If you thought the Samoan political landscape had dramas up until now, get ready for more as the nation winds down to the polls. There are more surprises in store as new political affiliations will be declared in due time.

First up is the court action seeking clarification on whether the general election should be called in three months or six months. There is a legal ambiguity caused by what has been stated in the Constitution and what the Electoral Act says. Six months or three months, the Office of the Electoral Commissioner should be ready for both scenarios. There is also responsibility placed on people who are of voting age. Of the voting population, 48 per cent are yet to register. It is their responsibility to register at the earliest opportunity to ensure that they do their part to ensure a free and fair election.

The voting in parliament was interesting, and it brought a few things. Human Rights Protection Party members Alai’asa Sepulona Moananu abstained, and  Maulolo Tavita Amosa opted to support the budget. This is an indicator that even in HRPP, there is a likelihood that some members would be leaving to join other parties. Maulolo was perhaps the first to indicate this when he did not side with HRPP in the vote of no confidence. There is a rumour that there is a nudge by some, for the party leader to call it a day from politics and allow his deputy to take the reins. This is likely to cause some to leave the party and search for one that will allow them to retain their seats and be free from the one-man leadership style of the HRPP.

For the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, things are also not looking very bright. The alleged attempt to have party leader La’auli Leuatea Schmidt appointed caretaker prime minister and lead a caretaker government fell flat on its face. It was an illegal and unconstitutional move by the party members. But one cannot blame the FAST majority for trying. La’auli remains the FAST backbone and superstar, but his political future hinges on the outcome of the criminal trial underway in court. A conviction renders him ineligible to contest, and without his involvement, the future of FAST is questionable. No other members have the charisma and star power of Laauli to command a following as they do now.

This leaves the guys who until now have remained in power, even after the dissolution of the parliament. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and her cabinet remain in power as the caretakers and have come out on top for the time being. It is more than clear that they will form a new party. The notion of a reconciliation with the FAST majority is off the table. Slowly, defectors from the other parties would join the party that the cabinet ministers would be forming.

There will be more people declaring their intention to run, new parties will be formed, and there will be campaign promises. Some people are looking forward to receiving ‘gifts’ from candidates. The old-fashioned vote buying will start and be dubbed as traditional gifts. And after the next five years, the voters will badmouth the chosen representative for not fulfilling his election promises. If people want a change, they too have to change. Stop receiving the gifts and vote for the person who will work for the people and not for himself or herself.

But the most important thing people can do right now is to get registered. Do this at the earliest possible, in case the elections happen in three months.