“We do not waste our time unnecessarily," responded Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi when asked whether he expects other parties to outperform HRPP in the upcoming election. 

Political parties are ramping up their campaigns with manifesto launches and bold statements. The HRPP and the Samoa Labour Party are among the first to release their platforms ahead of polling day.

“Why should we waste our time on a party that wasted all our time and our money? So, we do not waste our time on a party that promised a lot and breached all the promises they have made and abused and made a lot of abuses and misuses of money. A lot of these things have already been mentioned by your newspaper,” he said.

The snap election, scheduled following the early dissolution of parliament on 27 May 2025, will see over 10 political parties contesting, including FAST, HRPP, SLPP, SUP and newer contenders like the Samoa for Samoans Party. The Office of the Electoral Commission has confirmed that voter registration and logistics preparations are underway, with polling expected later this year.

The HRPP’s campaign emphasises economic development, infrastructure investment, and restoring what it describes as "stable and experienced governance." Tuilaepa, who led Samoa for over two decades before HRPP's loss in the 2021 election, has framed this election as a referendum on FAST’s leadership.

The HRPP manifesto outlines a wide range of policies aimed at addressing cost-of-living concerns and long-term infrastructure development. Among the initiatives are COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), SUPA (Special Underprivileged Population Assistance), and PELEGA (Pension Ensuring Lasting Empowerment Golden Age). 

A standout policy in the manifesto is the ambitious Island Hopper Bridge project — a long-term vision to physically connect the islands of Upolu and Savai’i via Manono and Apolima by the year 2035.