1973 Western Samoan General Election
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Western Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabit ...
on 24 February 1973. All candidates ran as independents and voting was restricted to
Faʻamatai ''Faʻamatai'' is the indigenous political ('chiefly') system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society. It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in both Samoas, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of ...
and citizens of European origin ("individual voters"), with the matai electing 45 MPs and Europeans two.
Dieter Nohlen Dieter Nohlen (born 6 November 1939) is a German academic and political scientist. He currently holds the position of Emeritus Professor of Political Science in the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences of the University of Heidelberg. An ex ...
, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) ''Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II'', p782
Following the election,
Fiamē Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II Fiamē Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu II (5 August 1921 – 20 May 1975) was a Samoa, Western Samoan paramount chief and politician. The holder of the Mataafa title, one of the four main Samoan Faamatai, chieftainships, he became the first Prime M ...
became Prime Minister for a second term, having previously held the office between 1959 and 1970.


Campaign

Prior to the elections, candidates were decided upon at meetings of chiefs. If there was unanimity, only one candidate would be put forward; if there were disagreements, multiple candidates would be nominated. A total of 160 candidates contested the elections, with twelve seats having only one candidate (seven of whom were incumbents), who were returned unopposed. Former Prime Minister Mata'afa, who held one of the four highest chiefly titles, was challenged by Aupito Tulaniu, an opponent of the domination of Samoan society by chiefs. His candidacy was regarded by several chiefs as the 'work of the devil'. The incumbent government led by
Tupua Tamasese Tupua Tamasese, formally known as Tupua, is a State (polity), state dynasty and one of the four paramount Fa'amatai, chiefly titles of Samoa, known as the ''Tamaʻāiga, tama a ʻāiga''. It is the titular head of one of Samoa's two ...
had become increasingly unpopular since taking office following the 1970 elections. An increase in import duties led to rising food costs and car prices, whilst cabinet infighting and perceived lack of work ethic of some ministers had also been issues.Stomachs, cars and liquor bars loomed large in Samoa election
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', April 1973, p6
The '' Samoa Times'' reported that the election campaign saw candidates giving away food and money.


Results

Twenty-eight of the forty-seven members were new to the Legislative Assembly, with only eleven incumbent MLAs in contested seats being re-elected. Minister of Education Tuala Paulo, Minister of Finance
Tofa Siaosi Tuatagaloa Tofa Siaosi (died June 1981) was a Western Samoan politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1967 until 1973 and was Minister of Finance between 1970 and 1973. Biography Born George Nauer, the son of politi ...
, Minister of Justice
Amoa Tausilia Amoa Lolesio Tausilia (born 24 August 1922) was a Western Samoan chief and politician. He served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1961 to 1967 and as Minister of Education and Minister of Justice from between 1970 and 1973. Biograph ...
, Minister for the Post Office Fuimaono Moasope and the Speaker Magele Ate were all defeated. In Gaga'ifomauga No. 1 the result was a tie between Tiapili Filisi and
Timu Kolio Timu may refer to: * John Timu (American football) (born 1992), American football linebacker * John Timu (rugby) John Kahukura Raymond Timu (born 8 May 1969) is a New Zealand former rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 19 ...
. The outcome was decided by drawing lots, with Tiapili declared the winner. Voting in Satupa'itea constituency was delayed until May due to the death of Asiata Lagolago, one of the candidates.


Aftermath

Following the elections, the victory of Mapuilesua Malo in Palauli-le-Falefa was challenged by losing candidate Le Tagaloa Pita, who alleged that ten matai should not have been able to vote in the constituency. A recount was ordered by Chief Justice Gaven Donne, with Pita subsequently declared the winner.Ata Ma'Ia'I (1974) "Western Samoa's General Election 1973", ''The Journal of Pacific History'', Vol. 9, pp146–152 Toleafoa Talitimu was elected
Speaker Speaker most commonly refers to: * Speaker, a person who produces speech * Loudspeaker, a device that produces sound ** Computer speakers Speaker, Speakers, or The Speaker may also refer to: Arts and entertainment * "Speaker" (song), by David ...
with 28 votes, defeating Leaupepe Faimaala (12) and Teo Fetu (6). Fetu subsequently defeated Faimaala in the Deputy Speaker election by a margin of 27 votes to 18.As you were in W. Samoa with Mataafa on top again
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', April 1973, p25
Three candidates stood to be Prime Minister; incumbent
Tupua Tamasese Tupua Tamasese, formally known as Tupua, is a State (polity), state dynasty and one of the four paramount Fa'amatai, chiefly titles of Samoa, known as the ''Tamaʻāiga, tama a ʻāiga''. It is the titular head of one of Samoa's two ...
, former Prime Minister Fiame Mata'afa and Tufuga Efi. In the first round of voting, Mata'afa won with 23 votes; Efi received 13 and Tamasese 9. Mata'afa subsequently appointed a new cabinet. Mata'afa died in May 1975, after which Tupua Tamasese was appointed as his replacement, also appointing a new cabinet. However, later in 1975 he sacked both Pinati and Saili.Finance minister Saili sacked
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', September 1975, p61
Minister for Works Aumua Ioane became the new Finance Minister, while Vaovasamanaia Filipo was appointed as the new Minister for Agriculture, and Tofaeono Tile as Minister for Works to replace Ioane.


See also

* List of members of the Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa (1973–1976)


References

{{Samoan elections
Western Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabit ...
General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...
Elections in Samoa Non-partisan elections Election and referendum articles with incomplete results