The 11 Carmelite nuns at Vailima will cast votes on Friday because the law compels them; they had hoped not to vote as part of their calling.

Voting officials are scheduled to come to the Monastery between 11 am and 12 pm.

A Carmelite spokesperson said even though they did not want to vote, as they stay away from political affairs as part of their calling, but the law is the law, and they have to vote.

She said they are looking forward to voting, and it's their way of contributing to electing the leaders of Samoa.

"We are thankful that the officials will visit the monastery on Friday, and we have one hour for all of us here to cast our votes," she said.

The Carmelite nuns, as part of their calling, are not to be seen in public, and they also have strict visitations at the Monastery.

Meanwhile, the 40 elderly citizens at Mapuifagalele when Samoa Observer had not cast their vote as of 1:30 pm on Wednesday.

The Mother Superior said they were still waiting for the voting officials at that time.

"We here, Mapuifagalele, are just waiting for the officials to come so that we can cast our votes," she said.

She revealed that every election year, there are always electoral officials coming over, not only for the elderly citizens to cast their votes but also for the nuns here at Mapuifagalele.

The staff working as caregivers for these elderly citizens will have time on Friday at the Vaimauga District, since they are all from the Vaimauga area.