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Samoa election update: FAST leads with 15 seats, HRPP secures 9

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, September 2nd 2025 at 20:57 GMT by rnz
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Samoa’s Parliament on the Verge of Change – FAST Holds Early Lead with 15 Seats, HRPP 9

On 19 April, Samoa’s 48‑seat Parliament saw its most closely fought election since the 1998 landslide that brought the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) to power. As votes were tallied across the islands, the first official counts revealed that the new “Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi” (FAST) party had 15 seats, while the long‑ruling HRPP secured 9. The remaining 24 seats are still awaiting final tallies.

The numbers, released by the Electoral Commission late on the evening of the polling day, are a clear indicator that the race is far from decided. While FAST is ahead by six seats, the margin can still widen or narrow as more rural constituencies—particularly those in the island of Savai’i and the outer district of Tuamasaga—conclude their counts. In those areas, counting has taken longer due to logistical challenges, including remote locations and limited transport infrastructure.

A Tense Turnout

Voter turnout in Samoa was a little over 44%, a modest dip from the 47% recorded in the 2016 election. Analysts attribute the drop to the unusually high number of spoiled ballots and a sense of fatigue after a protracted political battle that began in the run‑up to the election. Yet, the day was marked by a palpable sense of hope and uncertainty across the islands, with thousands of citizens lining the streets of Apia and other polling stations in a show of democratic engagement.

“People have shown they want change,” said Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi’s leader, Tamailei Mauga, during a post‑count press briefing. “The early results reflect that desire.”

The HRPP’s long‑time incumbent Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Samoa Malielegaoi, called for calm, stating that “the Electoral Commission has a duty to ensure a fair and transparent count, and that will be respected.”

The Parties at a Crossroads

FAST is a party that was founded just last year by a coalition of former HRPP members who felt the party had lost its way. FAST’s platform emphasizes good governance, a break from the patronage that has long characterised Samoan politics, and increased engagement with the Samoan diaspora. Its leader, Tamailei Mauga, who previously served as the deputy speaker of the Legislative Assembly, announced that he was “ready to build a new Samoan nation, one that truly listens to its people.”

The HRPP, which has been the political stalwart of Samoa for the past 23 years, is preparing for a potential transition. HRPP’s official statement on the night of the election said that “the party remains committed to serving Samoa and will respect the will of the electorate.”

The early results put FAST 15 seats ahead, a lead that would be sufficient for a comfortable majority if the rest of the seats fall into their hands. A majority of 25 seats is needed to form a government. The remaining 24 seats could bring FAST closer to a solid majority or keep the race in the balance if HRPP or independent candidates win them.

International Reactions

The Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth have congratulated Samoa on a peaceful election. New Zealand and the United States also issued statements expressing support for a democratic transition. “We are pleased to see Samoa continue to strengthen its democratic institutions,” said a spokesperson from the U.S. Embassy in Apia.

The Road Ahead

According to the Electoral Commission, the final seat counts will be released on 20 April, when the last polling stations finish tallying. The Commission has also announced that it will make the full official results available online within a few hours of the final announcement.

Should FAST secure a majority, it would be the first time a party other than the HRPP has governed Samoa. The change would likely bring a shift in policy priorities, especially in areas such as economic diversification, climate resilience, and digital infrastructure.

“Fast is the party that will decide the future of Samoa,” said a senior analyst at the Pacific Islands Development Programme. “The early numbers suggest a shift is underway, but it remains to be seen how the rest of the constituencies will vote.”

The Samoan electorate, like all the islands, is now waiting with bated breath for the final count. As the nation counts its future, the early advantage of FAST sets the stage for a historic political realignment that could reshape the Pacific’s smallest island democracy for decades to come.