The 2021 election highlighted issues with Samoa's democracy that need to be ironed out, the leader of the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa says.

Among the issues raised by Fiame late on Friday were the costs imposed on citizens who had to travel between islands to vote.

The F.A.S.T. leader said she also heard of several issues including voter influencing and voter obstruction.

In some areas, candidates themselves were told they couldn’t vote because they were running for Parliament, she said.

“There were a few issues, first where the officials were obviously influencing in one way or another, the voters coming in, and that has been noted, complaints have been lodged," Fiame said. 

“There have even been incidents where candidates have been told they are not allowed to vote because they are candidates so there is clearly a misunderstanding on the part of the officials about that."

Despite Fiame's concerns, several voters praised the speed with which they were able to cast their ballots compared to previous elections; and voting at most polling booths was conducted peacefully.

The Electoral Commissioner, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, said it was a “proud day for democracy in Samoa.”

But Fiame says she has questions about the pre-polling process, namely why it happened and why it took so long. 

She said extending the process of early voting across four days was too long, and too expensive for such a small group of voters. Just over 7,400 eligible pre-poll voters cast ballots in the lead-up to Friday's main election day. They accounted for only about 6.6 per cent of the nation's total voting pool. 

Fiame said she was considering how much individuals in Upolu likely spent on voting in Savaii.

“To put out the number of officials and supporting infrastructures around four days, it’s a big expenditure," she said. 

“Then if you counter the kind of expenditure that is going on four days, and the expenditure being put on Savaii voters from Upolu who had to travel to Savaii, and the hardships they have had to face, I think there are some real issues that have come up during this election which need to be addressed.

“There is still a question in my mind about the motivations of having prepolling.”

But as the final numbers finally rolled in late on Friday night and very early on Saturday morning, it became clear that, at least unofficially, five women will be joining the next Parliament.

Three, including Fiame, are from F.A.S.T., and two are Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) members, including one returning for a second term.

“It’s one step further than the last election,” Fiame said.

“We had to use the special measure last time to get the fifth woman in so this is an improvement. 

“I am only sorry that not more women were able to win their seats but we live in hope. It’s a small increment but it’s still an increment.”

Finalising the election results could take two weeks, according to both Fiame and the caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi.

Sometime within those two weeks, the Electoral Commissioner will officially declare the results of each seat. 

After that, candidates have ten working days to lodge a petition in the courts if they feel they are invalid for any reason. It costs a candidate $2,500 in a bond to the Court to make their petition, according to the Electoral Act.

Candidates are eligible to petition if they won half the number of the winner’s vote total in their constituency.

It is not immediately known how long this process takes but Fiame understands there will be a deadline given by the courts.

As the final numbers are locked in, the party will know whether it has a majority of the seats and can govern, or whether it needs to negotiate with another new Member of Parliament to form a coalition.

And once that process is over, the new party can begin the process of leading the country.

Asked on Friday whether FAST will move to repeal three recent Acts passed in December last year, Fiame said taking the legislative route on the Acts could be difficult.

Last year, Fiame spent months campaigning against the Land and Titles Court Act 2020, Judicature Act 2020 and the Constitution Amendment Act 2020.

She told constituents up and down the country about how the bills threaten their rights to a fair trial, upend the rule of law in Samoa and dismantle the separation of powers necessary for a thriving democracy.

And though her campaign couldn’t stop them passing in the house with just four votes against them, Fiame will not be hasty in her efforts to fix the problem.

She said with a two thirds majority required in Parliament to repeal anything, following that path may be difficult.

“There is a legal challenge being mounted about the constitutionality of the three bills so that may be another path to be pursued but that is not the political path; that has been taken up by private citizens.

“I had been asked whether I would join that path, I have personally said no. I am a politician I will stay on this side and see if we can work it through the political process.”