The key to public confidence in elections is transparency in the electoral process, and the Office of the Electoral Commission has done that, so far. The counting process has been open, and most, if not all, questions have been answered.

Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley has said that there is nothing to hide. It is welcoming news that four electoral officers allegedly responsible for the errors in four polling booths in Savai'i will be investigated after the official count is completed. The probe would also ascertain if there was a political motive behind their actions. It is alleged that the electoral officers placed the tally sheets inside the ballot box and sealed it. This caused a delay in the vote count as the boxes could not be opened, as it would be considered tampering.

Politics and electioneering in this nation are not played by the rules. We will hear about the claims of bribery and other corrupt practices when the petitions are filed either at the end of the week or next week. However, it is unfortunate if those tasked with carrying out the elections are allegedly involved in sabotaging them or unfairly supporting those they are inclined towards. The Electoral Act is clear on what action can be taken against election officials who are involved in such practices. It could even lead to jail time if proven in court.

The importance of accuracy, fairness and transparency cannot be emphasised enough when it comes to elections. If anything, it can reassure an anxious nation that final vote totals are correct; it will be the most radically transparent process counting officials can muster.

However, it must be noted that real transparency in an electoral process is also about who is spending big money on elections. It will mean more government accountability, less influence for wealthy special interests and less political corruption. There are policy solutions available that will put an end to this deception and restore transparency to our elections. The question is, will the new government take the steps?

When the new government takes office, there is hope from the masses, especially those who voted for them, that they will set new standards in good governance, transparency and accountability. These values should always outweigh delivering election promises. That is yet to be seen and perhaps a bit premature since the government is yet to be formed.

It also seems that the OEC is back on track and has sorted most of the constituencies, with only a few remaining to be counted. If this is the way things progress at the OEC counting centres, the official results would be delivered as scheduled. That would also be a remarkable feat, showing the OEC’s neutrality and focus on delivering free and fair elections.

Remember, genuine elections require that state institutions be politically impartial and that they act effectively to ensure that electoral processes are proper; otherwise, forces of corruption can prevent them from being either free or fair. Election administration is central in this respect, but a significant number of other governmental agencies, as well as those seeking to be elected and those that monitor and observe, are vital to achieving authentic elections.

The nation is eagerly watching and waiting.