Transporting people to get registered is a great service to the nation in ensuring free and fair election but if political parties are doing this with the intent that the person they transport has to vote for them, it is illegal and a preview to the style of elected leaders we are going to have after the election.

Campaign committees for candidates and parties have been organising and funding transportation for voters to complete their registration. To avoid being identified as campaigners for candidates and parties, public transport such as taxis is used to transport voters to register. Samoa Observer investigated the occurrences and spoke to taxi drivers who claimed political parties and or candidates' campaign people were paying fares. Multiple sources have confirmed the practice, including a campaign committee member who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Office of the Electoral Commissioner (OEC) has taken note of these reports and acknowledged that while assisting voters with transportation is not inherently illegal, Section 97(1)(b)(i) of the Electoral Act 2019 explicitly prohibits providing transportation to voters for registration or voting purposes when intended to corruptly influence elections. Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley said treating was an offence.

If the alleged corrupt practices serve as an indicator of the style of leadership expected, then we are doomed again for the next five years. The voters who receive this favour and agree to vote in exchange are equally corrupt. They are combining to defeat a democratic process that should be fair and free. The upcoming elections have to be just that to ensure that the people have been elected fairly.

Elections in the past have been filled with so many alleged corrupt practices. Votes have been bought through gifts, either financially or with other benefits. This needs to change. If such practices change, then we will stop having people only interested in their progress contesting. We will get the leaders we have always wanted. The ones who will work for the people.

By allowing such practices to continue, we are allowing corrupt candidates to be elected. That has happened too often, and it needs to stop. We need the maximum number of people registered before the election, and if the political parties intend to ensure that only they are helping the cause of a free and fair election. If it is other than that, we are building the foundations of the next government on corruption already.

People should vote for who they think will represent their needs. They should vote for the candidate who would deliver on realistic goals that would grow the nation and help society. People should vote for the candidate who will ensure children are no longer staying home because they cannot pay their fees, or for someone who will ensure that patients are not sitting on the floor at the hospital or admitted in wards where the ceiling is leaking. They should vote for those who will ensure that people are able to afford a living. Votes should never be bought or sold.

Elections are a central feature of democracy. For elections to express the will of the electorate, they must be ‘free and fair’. ‘Free’ means that all those entitled to vote have the right to be registered and to vote, and must be free to make their choice. An election is considered ‘free’ when you can decide whether or not to vote and vote freely for the candidate or party of your choice without fear or intimidation. A ‘free’ election is also one where you are confident that who you vote for remains your secret.

‘Fair’ means that all registered political parties have an equal right to contest the elections, campaign for voter support and hold meetings and rallies. This gives them a fair chance to convince voters to vote for them. A fair election is also one in which all voters have an equal opportunity to register, where all votes are counted, and where the announced results reflect the actual vote totals.

That is the least we can expect, and for that to happen, every voter, candidate and political party needs to abide by the laws, be transparent and accountable and above all, practice good governance. This will show the nation the true intent of those contesting for a seat.