The Office of the Electoral Commission (O.E.C.) has issued a stern warning to local media outlets, condemning the manipulation and distortion of official electoral information. 

In a statement released on Friday, the O.E.C. expressed deep concern over the spread of misinformation and disinformation, urging responsible journalism and adherence to verified sources.

The statement emphasised that all official electoral information must come directly from the Electoral Commissioner, Tuiafelolo John Stanley and that the media must report this information accurately and responsibly. 

"All official electoral information is sourced directly from the Electoral Commissioner and must be reported responsibly," the O.E.C. declared.

The Electoral Commission's statement specifically addressed the issue of inaccurate claims made by some media outlets regarding communications from the Commissioner. 

It was clarified that Tuiafelolo John Stanley had conducted only two in-person interviews with media representatives thus far – one with Radio Samoa and another with the Samoa Observer. 

Contrary to some reports, no official emails have been sent by the Commissioner, as falsely claimed by other outlets.

“These statements are the official position of the O.E.C. and should be regarded as such,” the statement continued. 

The O.E.C. called on both the public and media to rely solely on verified, credible sources and to avoid spreading unchecked information. The Office reiterated that safeguarding the integrity of electoral processes is a shared responsibility, one that requires vigilance and accuracy from all parties involved.

In closing, the Electoral Commission emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in reporting on electoral matters. By ensuring that only official, reliable sources are consulted, the O.E.C. hopes to mitigate the risks of misinformation that could undermine public trust in the electoral process.

“The integrity of the electoral process is paramount, and we call on all stakeholders to uphold this responsibility,” the O.E.C. statement concluded.

As Samoa moves closer to its upcoming elections, the O.E.C. remains committed to providing accurate, timely information to the public and reinforcing the importance of ethical reporting in the lead-up to the vote.