2011 Samoan general election

During the previous general election held in 2006, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party won a landslide victory, winning 33 seats. The opposition Samoan Democratic United Party (SDUP) secured ten seats, and independents won the remaining six. The SDUP later lost one seat due to an electoral petition.[5][6] Later that year, in August 2006, the SDUP removed its leader Le Mamea Ropati and replaced him with deputy leader Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai.[7] The SDUP then fragmented and led to the departure of two MPs from the party, including Le Mamea Ropati. As a result, the SDUP’s recognition as a parliamentary party ceased because it fell below the eight-seat threshold, and the parliament classified the party's remaining MPs as independents.[8]

On 11 May 2007, long-serving O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II died.[9] Parliament unanimously voted for Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, a member of the council of deputies, former prime minister and son of former co-head of state Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole, to succeed Malietoa.[10]

Eleven opposition MPs from the SDUP and independents formed the Tautua Samoa Party in 2008 to provide parliamentary opposition to the HRPP.[11] The party later elected Va'ai Papu Vailupe, son of former prime minister Vaʻai Kolone, as leader.[12]

Tuil'epa predicted that the HRPP would win 40 seats.[3]

Samoa's legislative assembly, the Fono, is composed of 49 seats, each serving a five-year term. Forty-seven members are elected from the forty-one village-based constituencies (four of the larger electorates have two representatives each), while two members are elected by independent voters with no village affiliation.[13]

Only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the forty-seven village-based seats, while the other two are open to anybody. Once the results of the election are confirmed, the Prime Minister is then appointed by the head of state, the O le Ao o le Malo.[13]

The Human Rights Protection Party promised to focus on health, education, agriculture, infrastructural development, the development of renewable energy, and a pledge to "turn Samoa into the sports hub of the Pacific". In a speech on 22 February, the Prime Minister emphasised the party's maturity and experience in government. He promised continuity in policies, and drew attention to what he described as the government's major achievements in recent years: the election of the head of state; the development of infrastructure; economic growth, and the development of businesses and the private sector; a well-managed budget; the hosting of the 2007 Pacific Games; the switching from right- to left-hand driving throughout the country (in fact an extremely controversial policy, which generated the largest protest in Samoan history[14]); and the government's response to the 2009 earthquake and tsunami. For the future, he announced a broad range of policies to improve Samoans' health, including an increase in the number of locally trained medical staff, an increase in the number of hospitals, a policy of compulsory twice-a-year testing of all Samoans to detect cancer in advance, and the promotion of organic farming, along with a "bonus scheme" to reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides in agriculture, to facilitate healthier diets. He stated that these promises could all be realistically financed, and concluded: "Your one vote can set the direction of Samoa for the next five years. It’s very important who you choose because you could benefit or you will bring a curse on you and your family for the next five years. So vote for the HRPP and be blessed".[15]

The Tautua Samoa Party promised to focus on lowering the cost of living, and halting the government's Casino and Gambling Bill, which would legalise casino gaming in the country. The Value Added Goods and Services Tax would be abolished; pensions would be raised for the elderly; children below the age of 12 would receive free health care. The party also promised to "encourage farming and develop agriculture"; "lower the cost of electricity and other utilities"; " develop education and health services through the raising of salaries and enforcing compulsory education"; and promote the development of the private sector. Asked how these promises would be funded, in particular considering the promised abolition of VAGST, the party's deputy leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II, stated that "God will provide for us", and that the party would seek additional international aid. He added that the HRPP government had "wasted millions on unnecessary developments such as the new buildings towering over everything in Apia", and that under a TSP government all public spending would be transparent and accountable.[16]

Following the election, all seven independents joined the HRPP, giving the ruling caucus a two-thirds majority.[24] Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, the member of parliament for Anoama'a West, was elected deputy leader of the HRPP and subsequently became the new deputy prime minister. He succeeded Misa Telefoni Retzlaff, who opted not to seek re-election and retire. Among other new cabinet ministers was Le Mamea Ropati, a former opposition leader who led the Samoan Democratic United party in the previous election cycle.[25][26]

The Tautua Samoa Party’s founder and chief whip, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, expressed confidence that the party would perform well in the next election cycle. He also stressed the importance of party unity and stated, "Five years from now, we should definitely win. This (election) is a good start for us, and we have a good opposition, so we should start our campaign right now, and that's what we are going to do now, is prove to the people and educate them and tell them what Samoa needs, and the next election should be a(n) easy battle for us."[27]

Several members of parliament later lost their seats by order of the Supreme Court due to electoral petitions. Among these individuals were opposition leader Va'ai Papu Vailupe and the associate minister of natural resources and environment, Taua Kitiona Seuala.[28][29] By-elections subsequently took place in July in the ousted member’s constituencies, all were won by HRPP candidates. These results increased the ruling caucus’ seat share to 37, whilst the opposition lost a seat, leaving them with 12 members.[30]

Following Va'ai's ousting, the Tautua Samoa Party elected deputy leader Palusalue Fa’apo II to replace him as leader of the party and the opposition. The party also elected former speaker of parliament, A'eau Peniamina, deputy leader.[31]

The 15th parliamentary session commenced on 18 March 2011.[24]

• List of members of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa (2011–2016)
• 2011 Samoan by-elections

• Official results
• Map of Results by constituency