Hundreds of polling officials packed their suitcases and bags and set out across Samoa on Thursday as the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (OEC) began deploying staff ahead of polling day.

Suitcases filled with essentials for an overnight stay were seen loaded into vans and trucks at the Tuanaimato Gym 1 complex, where teams gathered before being sent out to rural areas. 

Four vehicles, including two trucks and two vans, transported one group of officials to Manono, while another contingent boarded the 10 am ferry to Savai’i.

Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley confirmed the deployments, saying the officials will be stationed at booths across the country to ensure voting runs smoothly. Scrutineers were not part of Thursday’s mobilisation but are expected to be present at polling stations on election day.

To help with communication, Digicel top-up vouchers were distributed to the workers. “It is for the workers to communicate with us and keep us updated on polling day,” an electoral official said.

For many, the deployment marks their first experience working on an election. Fuatino Grace, who works in a government ministry, said she was excited to be assigned as a polling official for the first time. “It's pretty much our first time; others in our group have done this before, but this is my first,” she said.

Others admitted to feeling nervous but optimistic. Marinda Tagiilima and Faith Tauauvea, both assigned to Falealili, said the responsibility felt nerve-wracking. “Personally, this is my first time as a polling official, so I’m quite nervous but also excited at the same time,” Tagiilima said. Tauauvea agreed, adding that both hope the election day process “flows well.”

“It’s a big role for first-timers,” said Tagiiliima, but expressed her Christian faith ahead of the busy lines on Friday.

The teams will be accommodated in different villages on the night before polling. While some officials were unsure whether they would be staying together, most expressed their readiness to carry out their duties.