The date for the next General Election has been set for Friday 9 April 2021.

This was confirmed by the Minister of the Office of Electoral Commissioner, Fa’aolesa Katopau Ainu’u, who said the date was endorsed by Cabinet two weeks ago.

The confirmation of the General Election day follows further proposed changes outlined in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2020.

One of the proposed changes before Parliament provides for the Commissioner the power to disqualify a candidate if he or she does not meet the qualification standards.

The bill also seeks to omit religious contributions from the definition of monotaga (service to the village).

It is also substitute the number of the fine and term of imprisonment imposed for making false declaration in the form. 

There are four political parties in the running. They include the Human Rights Protection Party, Tautua Samoa Party, Samoa First Political Party and the Samoa National Democratic Party. 

Twelve months away from the next General Election, the political parties are not revealing names of their candidates. 

In a recent interview, the Tautua Samoa Party President, Luagalau Dr. Wood Salele, said the former opposition party they will be filling in all the seats in parliament. 

Luagalau said the party has a good number of female candidates and the upcoming event will be a very “interesting race” for the political parties. 

 The Samoa First Party has revealed that the group has about 20 candidates so far, not including those in Savai’i. 

Party Leader, Unasa Iuni Sapolu said they are working on their preparations for the general election despite limitations imposed by the state of emergency orders. 

S.N.D.P. Interim President, Vui Masinamua Seinafolava said the restricted measures has been a disadvantage for the party who has not been able to meet to discuss its campaign and election preparations.