With a snap election looming after the failure to pass the national budget, Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley has urged the public to take responsibility and register to vote, warning that the country is not fully prepared due to an incomplete electoral roll.

“We are prepared, but we are not prepared,” Tuiafelolo said. “The first thing is that our electoral roll is not in place at the moment.”

As of 4 pm on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, only 60,688 voters had registered, just 52 per cent of the expected total of 117,225, a seven per cent increase from the April registrations. 

“We’re short of 48 per cent, which is 56,537,” Tuiafelolo said. “All elections depend on the electoral roll.” Online registrations from overseas have reached a total of 750 fully registered participants. 

While logistics for the election are in place, Tuiafelolo emphasised that the vote cannot proceed unless the roll is at least 90 per cent complete. Poll worker recruitment is underway, with about 1,000 individuals expressing interest, but training originally scheduled for July will now likely be moved to June.

Funding for the election remains uncertain. “That’s an issue with the government,” Tuiafelolo said, adding that $3 million was included in the proposed but unpassed budget.

The current Electoral Act mandates that the roll close and nominations be submitted six months before a general election. These deadlines are no longer feasible. Tuiafelolo confirmed the commission is working with the Attorney General to seek a Supreme Court declaration to revise these timelines.

Despite extensive public outreach over the past two years, including extended office hours now closing at 8 pm, Saturday openings, and media campaigns via radio and text messages through Vodafone and Digicel, Tuiafelolo expressed concern over low registration. 

“It really comes down to our people. They should see that it is their legal responsibility to register.”

Following the announcement of the snap election, Tuiafelolo noted a sudden surge in registrations on Wednesday morning as members of the public filled up the waiting areas of the Office of the Electoral Commissioner in Mulinuu. “Our people are used to the word last minute. We're trying to change that kind of mentality.”

Leufisa Tufuga of Motootua, who visited the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (OEC) on Wednesday morning, faced a one-hour wait, which she acknowledged was better than during the previous election.

"I waited about an hour and then it was finished. It was easier and faster to register this time around," she said. When asked why it is important to register, Tufuga replied, "Because I am ready to see a new government." Her plea to the public: "This is a good time to come and register because usually, before it closes, everyone comes in at once."

Tuiafelolo reminded the public to bring the proper documentation: a birth certificate and an ID, with an additional Matai certificate if registering under a Matai title.

"Make sure you get all the documents that are required because there's no use coming here and having only one document." said Tuiafelolo.

While registration is free, printing an ID at the OEC costs $10.