The Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC) has issued a firm and factual reminder to all media outlets to strictly adhere to the provisions of the rules governing election coverage.

Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley emphasised in a statement that “media must ensure all coverage remains impartial, accurate, and in full compliance with the Electoral Act 2019.” He urged media practitioners to refrain from publishing any content that could influence voters on election day and to rely only on verified information sourced directly from the OEC.

The OEC’s advice echoes its earlier warnings about the dangers of misinformation circulating via social media and traditional outlets. On 18 May 2025, the Commission urged the public and media to verify information strictly through official OEC channels. It reiterated that “all official electoral information must come directly from the Electoral Commissioner” to preserve the integrity of the process.

Tuiafelolo also highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the OEC and the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS). This agreement enhances cooperation and stipulates that both institutions will investigate any credible allegations of media breaches.

Attempts by the Samoa Observer to contact JAWS President Lagi Keresoma for comment were unsuccessful.

Earlier preparation for the election displayed the Commission’s commitment to governance and logistics. By 25 June 2025, the OEC had identified and begun training 1,300 polling officials, alongside 800 police officers, to manage polling stations and ensure order on Election Day.

Meanwhile, the voter registration process concluded with 101,981 individuals successfully registered out of 117,225 eligible voters.

As polling unfolds on Friday, the OEC continues to support transparency, uphold press responsibility, and safeguard democratic integrity, urging media to report ethically and rely only on official OEC updates.