Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has been roped into a special election taskforce to monitor online activity and enforce penalties where necessary.

Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley revealed this while calling on the public to stop posting content on social media that could penalise or defame candidates running in this year’s elections.

“The Meta Taskforce includes representatives from the Samoa Police, Meta, the Office of the Regulator, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC),” Tuiafelolo said. 

“This taskforce is responsible for monitoring social media platforms for posts, advertisements, or defamatory content that could affect candidates.”

He explained that the taskforce is also watching for fake accounts that may post misleading images or content intended to damage candidates’ reputations. 

“Even those who create fake pages to post images or announcements that could harm candidates will be monitored and may be sanctioned. This is the reason the taskforce was established, to ensure that any such activity is detected and addressed,” Tuiafelolo added.

Tuiafelolo stressed that harmful campaign posts, including those from fake accounts, could result in penalties for the candidates involved under the Electoral Act 2019. 

“I advise the people of Samoa to stop posting any campaign material that could negatively impact candidates running in this year’s elections, as such actions could lead to candidates being penalised under the Act,” he said. He encouraged voters and social media users to report any suspicious or harmful content to the authorities immediately.

Supporting the Electoral Commissioner’s message, Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo emphasised the role of law enforcement in maintaining a fair and safe election environment. 

“Our officers are fully prepared to assist the taskforce by monitoring social media and taking action against any posts or accounts that violate the law,” Auapaau said. “We encourage the public to report any harmful content promptly so it can be addressed before it spreads.”

The Police Commissioner also reminded citizens that elections are a shared responsibility. “Social media should not be used to attack or undermine candidates. Everyone has a role in ensuring the election is conducted peacefully and fairly,” he added.

The Electoral Commission and its partner agencies remain committed to ensuring a transparent and fair election process. The Meta Taskforce will continue to monitor social media activity throughout the campaign period and is prepared to take action against individuals or groups who attempt to manipulate or defame candidates online.

Tuiafelolo concluded by emphasising that the public has a critical role to play in protecting the integrity of the electoral process and maintaining respectful discourse during the election campaign. “Let us all contribute to a fair and peaceful election by avoiding harmful posts and ensuring our social media activity reflects our democratic values,” he said.

The prohibited period for all campaign materials, including social media posts, began on Sunday, 24 August 2025 at 12 pm, and will continue until 5 September 2025. During this time, all candidates and supporters are prohibited from promoting or distributing campaign material. Breaching this prohibition may result in fines, imprisonment, or other penalties under the Electoral Act 2019.