Info
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: The Electoral Constituencies Act 2019, The Electoral Commission Act 2019, The Electoral Act 2019: https://www.oec.gov.ws/wordpress/index.php/legislations/ (2021);
Samoa Constitution: https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Constitution-Eng.pdf (2021)
Verified: 2021/04/09
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments:
Source: The Electoral Act 2019: https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Electoral-Act-2019-Eng.pdf (2021)
Verified: 2021/04/09
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
b . Voting is compulsory and regulated in the electoral law
Comments: Compulsory registration of voters: A person qualified under section 14 to be registered as a voter, must if that person is in Samoa, apply in the prescribed form to the Commissioner for registration as a voter within 1 months after the date upon which he or she turns 21 years old provided that if the person turns 21 years old on or before polling day, the person must apply for registration before the date fixed by the Commissioner for temporary closure of rolls under section 33 (1)
Source: The Electoral Law, Article 13: https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Electoral-Act-2019-Eng.pdf (2021)
Verified: 2021/04/09
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary b . EMB
Comments: a) The Supreme Court
b) The Electoral Commissioner
Source: The Electoral Law 2019, Article 85 and 86: https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Electoral-Act-2019-Eng.pdf (2021)
Verified: 2021/04/09
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