1964 Western Samoan general election

General elections were held in Western Samoa on 4 April 1964, the first since independence in 1962.[1] All candidates ran as independents. Following the elections, Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II remained Prime Minister.

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Electoral system

There were two voter rolls; one for indigenous Samoans (which was restricted to matai) and one for non-indigenous citizens, known as "individual voters". People of mixed ancestry could choose which roll to register on. As women rarely gained matai titles, it was unusual for women to be able to vote or stand for election in the Samoan seats.[2]

Prior to the elections, the number of elected members was increased from 46 to 47; the number of Samoan seats was increased from 41 to 45, and the number of non-indigenous seats reduced from five to two.[3] Only around 7,000 of the adult population of 45,000 was able to vote.[2]

Campaign

A total of 107 candidates contested the elections, with only one female candidate, Lefine Satia in Faasaleleaga 3.[2] Prime Minister Mata'afa was challenged in his Lotofaga constituency by former MLA Fonoti Ioane.[2]

Fourteen candidates in the Samoan constituencies were returned unopposed.[2] Only three candidates contested the two-seat individual voter constituency, all of which were incumbent MLAs.

Results

27 of the 47 elected MLAs were new to the legislature.[1] Voter turnout was around 90% for individual voters.[1]

Party Votes % Seats
Independents4,96710047
Invalid/blank votes83––
Total5,05010047
Registered voters/turnout6,979–
Source: Nohlen et al.

Aftermath

Following the elections, Mata'afa was unanimously re-elected as Prime Minister by the Legislative Assembly. He then appointed a nine-member cabinet, including three new ministers, Papali'i Poumau, Ulualofaiga Talamaivao and Laufili Time.[1]

PositionMinister
Prime MinisterMata'afa
Minister for AgricultureLaufili Time
Minister for EducationPapali'i Poumau
Minister for FinanceFred Betham
Minister for HealthUlualofaiga Talamaivao
Minister of JusticeTuatagaloa Leutele Te'o
Minister for Land and Land RegistryTo'omata Lilomaiava Tua
Minister for the Post Office, Radio and BroadcastingFaalavaau Galu
Minister for Works and TransportFrank Nelson
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See also

References
  1. Wide Support for Mataafa In First Samoan Elections Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1964, p13
  2. 107 To Contest First Samoan Election Since Independence Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1964, pp13–14
  3. Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p782 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
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