The Appeals Court ruling requires a minimum of six women to be elected to Samoa’s Parliament following the general election if there are 51 seats in parliament.

“The Court has already made its decision that there must be six (6) women representatives in Parliament after the general election,” said Electoral Commissioner, Tuiafelolo John Stanley.

“That is what the law requires, that there must be six women members. If, after the election, six women win seats from six constituencies, then the 10 per cent requirement of women in parliament has been met. But if it falls below that, the law will be applied.”

The mandate originates from a constitutional amendment introduced in 2013, which establishes a minimum threshold of 10 per cent female representation in the Legislative Assembly. Should fewer than six women secure seats through the general election, the law provides for the appointment of additional women candidates who received the highest number of votes to meet the quota.

Tuiafelolo explained that this mechanism is only triggered when the quota is not met through direct election results. In such instances, the Electoral Commission is responsible for appointing the necessary candidates to ensure compliance with the law.

In 2021, the application of the rule led to the addition of a contested seat, sparking a temporary political impasse. Courts ultimately clarified the implementation of the law, and that ruling continues to inform current electoral procedures.