Samoa Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo has described the incident, where police officers forced a Samoa Observer journalist and photojournalist to leave the Toamua EFKS Hall during pre-polling, as a “misunderstanding.”

On the contrary, the Office of the Elections Commission has said that the police officer may not have been paying attention at the briefing or may have been asleep.

Auapaau explained that the confusion stemmed from the 50-metre boundary rule, which prohibits photographers from taking pictures within a restricted zone around polling booths. 

“The Samoa Police fully supports the media and their role. All officers have been instructed to stop photographers only if they cross the 50-metre boundary. The media plays a vital role in ensuring transparency in our elections, and it is important that journalists can perform their duties without interference,” he said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when police officers reportedly ordered the Samoa Observer staff to leave and prohibited photography. Voters at the scene voiced their frustration, telling officers to allow the journalists to continue reporting or face criticism.

The Samoa Observer’s photographer stated he had complied with the 50-metre law, remaining outside the restricted zone while taking photos. Despite following the rules, he was confronted by officers, which led to the tense encounter.

The Office of the Electoral Commission (OEC) confirmed that the officer involved had reportedly been asleep during a pre-election briefing that outlined media coverage rules. Seumanutafa Lima Vaepule of the OEC said during a press conference, the Electoral Commissioner had made it clear that journalists are allowed to take photographs at polling booths, following the established protocols.

Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley has emphasised the critical role of the media in covering the general election. A Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Journalists Association of Samoa allows journalists and photographers to operate within 50 metres of polling booths, enabling them to report and capture images while protecting voter privacy.

Seumanutafa Vaepule highlighted that the OEC and police are committed to supporting media coverage throughout the electoral process and ensuring all staff are briefed on these rules ahead of polling.