The Office of the Electoral Commission has set a schedule to count remaining votes and recount the ones polled last Friday. The OEC is taking steps to ensure that the correct results are produced when the official results are announced.

The OEC and its staff must be allowed to undertake this process carefully and without interference. It is necessary to keep the integrity of the process intact. The Electoral law is clear on how the counting process should be conducted, and there are provisions for recounts if candidates are unhappy with the count.

It has to be taken into account that the 2025 general elections were held under extraordinary circumstances. The dissolution of parliament on 3 June meant a shortened timeframe to carry out the voter registration, and it also meant that the OEC had to be ready, whether they liked it or not. They were required to be ready. After the preliminary count on Friday, the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) soared into the lead; however, it was also discovered that errors had occurred in some constituencies. It was only expected, as the system is not foolproof.

The OEC is now ensuring that all ballots cast are recounted, and along with them, the special votes and pre-polling votes. This will provide the nation with an accurate result that will require fewer legal actions. This process must be allowed to happen without interference.

It was surprising that four FAST candidates had visited the OEC operations centre. Magele Sekati Fiaui, Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe and Va’aaoao Salumalo Alofipo were seen at Tuanaimato around 11 am while Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo paid a visit on Sunday. Toelupe had allegedly tried to force elections officials to start the official count.

On Monday, Va’aaoao was later escorted by police officers into the office of the Electoral Commissioner, Tuiafelolo John Stanley, while Magele and Masinalupe remained outside the operations centre. When approached by the Samoa Observer, Masinalupe said the group had accompanied Va’aaoao for a meeting with the Commissioner to discuss an important matter. Shortly after, Magele directed Masinalupe to move to the other side of the building upon noticing the newspaper’s photographer.

Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo said Va’aaoao was concerned about the security of the boxes. However, he pointed out that candidates are not supposed to be at the counting centre. He has said that these candidates should be charged for violating the Electoral Act. The law is the same for everyone, and if electoral laws are being violated without consequences, it shows that people, especially candidates, feel they are above the law. The FAST party leadership needs to have a word with these candidates, who are not new to politics.

After the preliminary count, there is a high possibility that FAST will most likely form the next government. FAST leadership must give priority to the rule of law and expect all its candidates to do so as well. If they are going to form the next government, then they must lead by example. The most dangerous thing for the nation right now is giving the notion that lawlessness will be condoned. FAST also needs to start working on a national budget. The end of September marks the end of funding for government ministries.

Under the Constitution, once the official results are announced, parliament must sit within 45 days. We hope that the focus is on that.

Let us support the OEC to carry out its work diligently and with integrity.