People came out in numbers and cast their votes. They exercised their right to vote and at the same time abided by the law, as it is compulsory to vote. Now we wait.

The provisional counts are out, and there is still a race left; the winner of the election has not been declared, so the chickens should not be counted before they hatch. Some constituencies, after provisional counting, have candidates who are still neck to neck. The pre-polling and the special votes have not been counted, and there will be a recount. Not to mention the various electoral petitions that would be filed, and some could end up being successful.

The Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi took a lead after the provisional count and asserted itself as the possible next government. If that is the case, a lot of things are going to change. But for now, it is not official, and as the Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley has said, do not celebrate until the official count is over.

Friday, 29 August, was perhaps one of the busiest days of the year. For some, more than others. All officials who were part of the general election, the Office of the Electoral Commission, the Samoa Police and other civil servants worked tirelessly to deliver an election without any major hiccups. Reports from polling venues suggested smooth operations throughout. There were a few misunderstandings between the police and media, perhaps something that can be worked on for the future.

It was not easy to be part of such a huge operation. It takes a lot to deliver. It is tiring, strenuous, demanding and requires sacrifices because people have to be away from loved ones. These hard-working people who worked to ensure the objectives were delivered must be thanked for their commitment and sacrifices. Tuiafelolo and his team from the OEC were able to deliver an election within a shortened timeframe.

After the dissolution of parliament, the OEC had no choice but to work within a shortened timeframe. The OEC had to register voters, ensure all logistics were in order, staff were trained, venues were secured, and everybody knew how to work in sync to deliver the objectives of a free and fair election. It was not easy, but they managed to do it. The work remains, and the OEC will have to deliver until and after the final counts.

The judiciary must now be preparing to take on the next phase of the electoral process, the petitions. There will be challenges alleging gifting and treating, and as usual, the judiciary will be looked upon to deliver swift justice in these matters. The magnitude of the challenges will be known after the official count and official results are announced.

Whichever party forms the next government, it has to keep in mind that a national budget is announced at the earliest possible opportunity. Government ministries are operating on a very tight budget, and if the situation extends beyond September, there is the risk of an economic disaster.

For now, all eyes are still on the OEC and the declaration of the official count. Let us wait and see.