Journalists covering Friday’s general election have voiced frustration after being blocked or removed from polling booths by police officers who appeared unaware of the rules governing media access.

At a polling booth in Leauvaa on Friday, Radio Samoa’s Lilomaiava Maina Misa said she was stopped by an officer and told the media were not allowed inside. 

“I was standing far from where the cars were parked, and the police officer called out to me. I asked him if I was already 50 metres away, but he told me to move further back, beyond the parked cars,” she said. “What is the purpose of our work if we are not allowed inside the polling stations? I honestly don’t know what’s going on anymore.”

Similar incidents were reported in other locations, with journalists claiming they were told to stay at least 100 metres away from polling stations, double the distance allowed under the current rules.

Photojournalist Junior S. Ami, who was stationed in Savai’i, said officers in Faletagaloa and Safune were “hostile” and even tried to stop him from taking pictures despite his compliance with the 50-metre rule. In Lepa, journalist Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo reported a similar confrontation.

Veteran journalist Galumalemana Tipi Autagavaia criticised the repeated interference, saying, “It’s clear some officers haven’t been properly briefed. The rules are clear, the media can cover the election as long as they respect the 50-metre rule. The public deserves transparency, and that means allowing journalists to do their work without intimidation.”

The President of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS), Lagi Keresoma, confirmed that the association will formally write to the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS) about the treatment of journalists during both pre-polling and election day.

“This action by police officers towards journalists and the media is completely unacceptable, and I will be writing a letter to the Police regarding the issue,” Keresoma said, stressing the importance of media access to ensure transparency during elections.

The confusion comes despite a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year between the Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC) and JAWS, which reduced the permitted media distance from 100 metres to 50 metres.

Earlier on Wednesday, police officers threatened and attempted to remove journalist Marieta Heidi Ilalilo and photojournalist Junior S. Ami during pre-polling at the EFKS Toamua Hall and a Radio Samoa reporter at Letogo Catholic Church. Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logotino Filipo later described the incidents as “misunderstandings,” with the OEC confirming that at least one officer had missed the official briefing.