1967 Western Samoan general election

General elections were held in Western Samoa on 25 February 1967. All candidates ran as independents and voting was restricted to Matai and citizens of European origin ("individual voters"), with the Matai electing 45 MPs and Europeans two.[1] Following the election, Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II remained Prime Minister.

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Campaign

A total of 126 candidates contested the 45 Samoan seats, with five running in the individual voter seats.[2]

Although voting was restricted to matais, the ability of traditional chiefs to create new matai led to significant changes in voter demographics in some areas, with the number of matais more than doubling since 1961. In Vaisigano No. 1 constituency, the number of matais increased from 139 in 1965 to over 1,400 by the 1967 elections. Trucks had been sent out to collect people and register them as matai, including many women, who were traditionally rarely made matai.[3][4]

Results

Sixteen MLAs lost their seats, including Minister of Education Papali'i Poumau.[4] Surprising defeats included Afoafouvale Misimoa in Palauli East and Tufuga Efi in Vaisigano No. 1.[5]

Party Votes % Seats
Independents7,39410047
Invalid/blank votes64––
Total7,45810047
Registered voters/turnout8,184–
Source: Nohlen et al.

By constituency
Constituency Candidate Votes Notes
Individual votersPeter Paul587Elected
Fred Betham539Re-elected
Thomas Ott424
Peter Plowman223
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Aftermath

Following the elections, members of the Legislative Assembly elected Magele Ate as Speaker and Tuala Paulo as Deputy Speaker.[4] Fiame Mata'afa was re-elected as Prime Minister, and formed an eight-member cabinet on 17 March, including three new ministers, Luamanuvae Eti, Lesatele Rapi and Tuaopepe Tame.[4]

PositionMinister
Prime MinisterFiame Mata'afa
Minister for AgricultureLaufili Time
Minister for EducationTuaopepe Tame
Minister for FinanceFred Betham
Minister for HealthLuamanuvae Eti
Minister of JusticeUlualofaiga Talamaivao
Minister for Land and Land RegistryTo'omata Lilomaiava Tua
Minister for the Post Office, Radio and BroadcastingFaalavaau Galu
Minister for Works and TransportLesatele Rapi

See also

References
  1. Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p782 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
  2. W. Samoan election Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1967, p13
  3. Matai—by the truckload Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1967, p20
  4. Mata'afa will lead independent Western Samoa for third term Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1967, p9
  5. Upsets in Western Samoan election Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1967, p11
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