Jump to content

Legislative Assembly of Samoa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Fono" redirects here. For other uses, see Fono (disambiguation).

Legislative Assembly of Samoa

Fono Aoao Faitulafono a Samoa
18th Parliament
Type
Type
History
Founded1 January 1962 (1962-01-01)
Leadership
Auapaʻau Mulipola Aloitafua, FAST
since 16 September 2025
Deputy Speaker
Afamasaga Leone Mati, FAST
since 16 September 2025
Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt, FAST
since 16 September 2025
Structure
Seats51
Political groups
Government (31)
  •   FAST (31)

Official opposition (14)

Others (6)

Length of term
Up to 5 years
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
29 August 2025
Next election
By 2030
Meeting place
Maota, Tiafau, Apia[2]
Website
www.palemene.ws

The Legislative Assembly (Samoan: Fono Aoao Faitulafono a Samoa), also known as the Parliament of Samoa (Samoan: Palemene o Samoa), is the national legislature of Samoa, seated at Apia, where the country's central administration is situated. Samoan Parliament is composed of two parts: the O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) and the Legislative Assembly. The 18th Parliament was inaugurated on 16 September 2025.[3]

In the Samoan language, the Legislative Assembly of Samoa is sometimes referred to as the Samoan Fono while the government of the country is referred to as the Malo. The word fono is a Samoan and Polynesian term for councils or meetings great and small and applies to national assemblies and legislatures, as well as local village councils.

The modern government of Samoa exists on a national level alongside the country's fa'amatai indigenous chiefly system of governance and social organisation.[4] The O le Ao o le Malo can summon and call together the Legislative Assembly, and can prorogue or dissolve Parliament, in order to either end a parliamentary session or call a general election on behalf of the Prime Minister of Samoa.

History

[edit]
Politics of Samoa
Constitution
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
Members of the First Legislative Assembly of Samoa under New Zealand administration, circa 1921.

The Samoan Fono is descended from the Western Samoan Legislative Assembly established under New Zealand rule in the early 1900s. On the country's political independence in 1962, the 5th Legislative Assembly became the 1st Western Samoan Parliament.[5]

Powers and procedures

[edit]

The Samoan Constitution provides the Legislative Assembly to make laws for the whole or any part of Samoa and laws having effect outside as well as within Samoa. Any Member of Parliament may introduce any bill or propose any motion for debate in the Assembly or present any petition to the Assembly, and the same shall be considered and disposed of under the provisions of the Standing Orders.

Members of Parliament possess parliamentary privilege and immunities.

The Legislative Assembly can be dissolved or prorogue by the O le Ao o le Malo, with the advice of the Prime Minister.

Members of Parliament

[edit]

Prior to a 2019 constitutional amendment, the Samoan Fono had 49 Members of Parliament. These were elected in six two-seat and 35 single-seat constituencies. Of these 49 seats, 47 were legally reserved for traditional heads of families (matai) and two for special constituencies: These two seats were first reserved for Samoan citizens descended from non-Samoans (so-called 'individual constituencies') and elected on a non-territorial basis until the 2015 constitutional amendment after which these were replaced with specific 'urban constituencies'.[6] These 'urban constituencies' were only in place for the 2016 general election and were then abolished by the 2019 amendment ahead of the next general election. Following this amendment, each electoral constituency elects one member, totalling 51 members of parliament.[7][8]

An extra Member of Parliament was added after the 2016 election in order to meet the quota of 10% female MPs.[9]

Members of Parliament in Samoa are directly elected by universal suffrage, and serve a five-year term.

Head of State

[edit]
Main article: O le Ao o le Malo

The ceremonial Head of State or O le Ao o le Malo is elected for a five-year term by the Fono. O le Ao o le Malo is limited to a maximum of 2 terms.

Elections

[edit]

Elections are held under a simple plurality system. Samoan electors are divided into 51 single member constituencies. Electors must be Samoan citizens and aged over 21.[10] Candidates must be qualified as electors, and are required hold a matai title.[11]

Last election results

[edit]
Main article: 2025 Samoan general election

The official vote count was completed on 4 September. FAST secured a majority of seats, winning 30, while the HRPP won 14. The SUP won three seats, while independents secured four.[12] Most of Mata‘afa's cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, lost their seats.[13] Parliamentary Speaker Papaliʻi Liʻo Taeu Masipau of FAST also lost re-election.[14] Five women won seats, one short of the six required to fulfil the female quota. The electoral commissioner announced that an additional female member would not be appointed to parliament until after the conclusion of post-election legal challenges.[15]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi36,70840.8630+5
Human Rights Protection Party33,04036.7814–11
Samoa Uniting Party7,7468.623New
Samoa Labour Party1,0421.160New
Tumua ma Pule Reform Republican Party420.050New
Constitution Democracy Republic Party250.030New
Independents11,23212.504+3
Total89,835100.00510
Valid votes89,83599.37
Invalid/blank votes5680.63
Total votes90,403100.00
Registered voters/turnout101,98188.65
Source: OEC, OEC, OEC, Samoa Observer (seats)

By constituency

[edit]
Constituency Turnout Political party Candidate Votes %
Aʻana Alofi 1 1,976 FAST Fesolai Apulu Tuigamala 932 47.17
Independent Taueva Faʻafouina Mupo 473 23.94
HRPP Ufagalilo Faʻamanu Mualia 397 20.09
Independent Fesolai Suafoa Apulu 131 6.63
Independent Leaupepetele Filipo Leaupepe 43 2.18
Aʻana Alofi 2 1,207 FAST Aiono Alec Ekeroma 547 45.32
HRPP Aiono Tile Gafa 473 39.19
FAST Ape Leulumoega Sofara 109 9.03
Independent Aiono Meapelo Frost 78 6.46
Aʻana Alofi 3 1,675 FAST Agaseata Valelio Tanuvasa 896 53.49
HRPP Niuapu Faʻaui II Leiataualesa 473 28.24
Independent Masinamua Maselusi Pisia Ah Poe 153 9.13
SUP Ili Tanuvasa Pelesasa Tanuvasa 82 4.90
Independent Sinaifoa Vaimoana Soʻoaemalelagi 71 4.24
Aʻana Alofi 4 2,403 FAST Afamasaga Leone Masame 848 35.29
HRPP Sevealiʻi Taulalo Sevealiʻi 602 25.05
SUP Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster 454 18.89
Independent Tagoiaega Maotua Puipui 434 18.06
Independent Lasei Sione Lasei 65 2.70
Aiga-i-le-Tai 2,827 FAST Auapaʻau Mulipola Aloitafua 1,169 41.35
HRPP Mulipola Leiataualetua Laki 1,103 39.03
Independent Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt 280 9.90
Independent Seʻulu Iloa Togia 153 5.41
Independent Levaʻa Samoa James Utuva 122 4.32
Alataua Sisifo 999 FAST Taituave Lafaitele Valoaga Iona 522 52.25
HRPP Aliʻimalemanu Alofa Tuuau 477 47.75
Aleipata Itupa-I-Lalo 2,021 SUP Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua 663 32.81
HRPP Taiao Tautunu Aumualesigano 537 26.57
FAST Vaotogo Rodney Chang Tamasese 509 25.19
HRPP Faʻagasealiʻi Sapoa Feagiai 312 15.44
Aleiptata Itupa-I-Luga 774 FAST Taufua Edmund Taufua 346 44.70
Independent Alailesulu Faʻapalo Toʻomalatai 218 28.17
HRPP Fuaʻava Amataga Penaia 210 27.13
Anoamaʻa 1 2,490 FAST Moefaʻauouo Julius Tafunai 1,235 49.60
HRPP Alaiasa Sepulona Moananu 1,213 48.71
TPRRP Molioʻo Pio Molioʻo 42 1.69
Anoamaʻa 2 2,417 HRPP Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo 1,214 50.23
FAST Leiu Ioane Sio 899 37.19
FAST Toʻomata Norah Leota 195 8.07
SUP Taiatu Asi Sasa Milo 109 4.51
Faʻasaleleʻaga 1 1,968 FAST Leatigaga Matāfai Iiga 866 44.00
HRPP Pipi Tariu Sinapati 725 36.84
FAST Seumanu Faimata Suʻa 233 11.83
SUP Matamua Vasati Pulufana 144 7.32
Faʻasaleleʻaga 2 1,869 HRPP Vaʻaelua Sentenari Samau 678 36.28
FAST Magele Sekati Fiaui 610 32.64
Independent Talouli Iosefa Talouli 319 17.07
HRPP Magele Tusigaigoa Simaika 196 10.49
Independent Malu Saletolo Vaʻaelua 66 3.53
Faʻasaleleʻaga 3 1,812 HRPP Namulauʻulu Sami Leota 1,023 56.46
FAST Papaliʻi Liʻo Taeu Masipau 789 43.54
Faʻasaleleʻaga 4 1,443 FAST Tea Tooala Peato 796 55.16
HRPP Tofa Foleni Lio 335 23.22
Independent Talatau Lisale Tuioti 312 21.62
Faʻasaleleʻaga 5 932 FAST Vui Iiga Sione Iiga 468 50.21
HRPP Peseta Vaifou Tevaga 388 41.63
Independent Vui Ana Nora Ah Him 76 8.15
Falealili 1 1,787 FAST Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo 941 52.66
HRPP Tuiloma Laniselota Lameko 617 34.53
SUP Tumanuvao Pualele Fui 152 8.51
Independent Siʻa Alec Leaupepe Latu 77 4.31
Falealili 2 890 FAST Maiava Fuimaono Asafo 299 33.60
Independent Fuimaono Maria Meredith 276 31.03
Independent Fuimaono Atanoa Alex Wright 194 21.80
Independent Tauaefa Autalavou Tauaefa 119 13.37
SLP Alaifea Laititi Belford 2 0.22
Falealupo 801 HRPP Leota Tima Leavai 379 47.32
FAST Seufata Eteuati Sulutolu 297 37.08
FAST Tuimaseve Poto Fiu 125 15.61
Faleata 1 4,722 HRPP Faumuina Opapo Oeti 1,466 31.05
HRPP Manuleleua Sonny Lameta 1,427 30.22
FAST Manuleleua Paletasala Tovale 1,423 30.14
Independent Tomaʻagauaune Mikaele Une 406 8.06
Faleata 3 2,568 HRPP Lealaʻilepule Rimoni Aiafi 1,476 57.48
FAST Paloa Louis James Stowers 1,092 42.52
Faleata 4 2,047 FAST Ale Vena Ale 1,226 59.89
HRPP Pepe Christian Fruean 672 32.83
SUP Mapu Tafaigata Toilolo 149 7.28
Falelatai and Samatau 1,687 HRPP Lupematasila Tologata Tile Leia 874 51.81
FAST Teleiai Christian Ausage 667 39.54
SUP Faʻalavaʻau Fasitau Ula 146 8.65
Gagaʻemauga 1 1,223 FAST Vaʻaaoao Salumalo Alofipo 483 39.49
SUP Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio 312 25.51
Independent Lauano Mulivai Lauano 236 19.30
HRPP Tevaga Mikaele Ah Lam 192 15.70
Gagaʻemauga 2 1,120 FAST Seuamuli Fasi Toma 606 54.11
Independent Valu Talaimanu Keti 310 27.68
HRPP Galuvao Valma Galuvao 240 18.21
Gagaʻifomauga 1 947 FAST Lavea Solomona Paulo 383 40.44
HRPP Timu Iakopo Timu 287 30.31
Independent Lavea Iulai Lavea Loia 214 22.60
HRPP Tumele Toefuataina Lele-Schmidt 63 6.65
Gagaʻifomauga 2 1,460 FAST Foʻisala Lilo Tuʻu Ioane 334 22.88
Independent Falesaopule Vaialia Iosua 310 21.23
HRPP Tologataua Sioeli Lamese 303 20.75
SLP Soʻoalo Umi Feo Mene 222 15.21
SUP Soʻoalo Kuresa Soʻoalo 171 11.71
HRPP Tagaloa Mark Huch 120 8.22
Gagaʻifomauga 3 967 FAST Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt 869 89.87
HRPP Faʻaulusau Rosa Duffy-Stowers 98 10.13
Lefaga and Faleaseʻela 2,089 FAST Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe 891 42.65
HRPP Suafaiga John Pasina 589 28.20
SUP Tusanilefaiaʻao Luasamotu Nuʻusa 262 12.54
SLP Suʻa Tanielu Suʻa 234 11.20
HRPP Masinalupe Tusipa Masinalupe 113 5.41
Lepā 791 HRPP Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi 685 86.60
FAST Tupua John Tupua 106 13.40
Lotofaga 959 SUP Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa 486 50.68
FAST Fuimapoao Beth Onesemo 247 25.76
FAST Fiaola Iosua Lole 226 23.57
Palauli 1 1,668 FAST Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo 725 43.47
Independent Lealofi Lolopo Gafo 432 25.90
HRPP Fuli Pisa Mulipola 313 18.76
Independent Tupai Avala Savaiʻinaea 198 11.87
Palauli 2 1,740 Independent Fiu Ponifasio Vasa 634 36.35
Independent Faʻaolatane Iona Pao 632 36.24
FAST Leota Laki Lamositele 252 14.55
Independent Tiatia Faleupolu Tevita 156 8.94
HRPP Faʻasuaiau Asiata Tanielu 55 3.15
SUP Tuisata Hay Kalapu 15 0.86
Palauli 3 1,391 FAST Aiolupotea Misa Tony Aiolupo 811 58.90
HRPP Leituala Benhur Matalavea 505 36.30
SUP Lagaʻaia Tiatuau Tufuga 75 5.39
Safata 1 1,961 FAST Seve Teʻi Fuimaono 949 48.39
HRPP Leaʻana Ronnie Posini 807 41.15
SUP Fepuleai Samuelu Taufao 205 10.45
Safata 2 1,593 HRPP Tuia Fuatogi Puʻa Letoa 650 40.80
FAST Tupai Saimasi John Matthes 628 39.42
SUP Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell 287 18.02
SLP Toleafoa Losalia Niumata 28 1.76
Sagaga 1 2,702 HRPP Loau Keneti Sio 1,629 60.29
FAST Samaina Kirisome Taulapapa 1,073 39.71
Sagaga 2 2,967 FAST Fata Ryan Schuster 1,297 43.71
HRPP Maualaivao Seiuli Pepe Seiuli 899 30.30
SUP Maulolo Tavita Amosa 727 24.50
Independent Tupualiʻi Faʻalili Saena Seuai 44 1.48
Sagaga 3 2,509 FAST Sala Paulo Tuala Poto 939 37.43
HRPP Tuala Olivetti Ah Him 917 36.55
SLP Tuala Teleʻa Liliʻi 535 21.32
Independent Sala Vaimili II 118 4.70
Sagaga 4 2,502 HRPP Lefue Pelenise Lelevaga 1,048 41.89
Independent Patea Tuisa Tasi 540 21.58
FAST Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa 476 19.02
SUP Mataʻafa Saeni Leatupuʻe 434 17.35
Independent Tumua Kelemete Vitale 4 0.16
Salega 1 1,037 FAST Tilafono David Hunter 473 45.61
HRPP Selu Letoa Reupena Selu 406 39.15
Independent Falesiʻi Aisa Autagavaia 177 23.23
Salega 2 762 FAST Leilua Sagato Karene 342 44.88
SUP Olo Fiti Vaai 243 31.09
HRPP Maeʻe Ualesi Silva 177 23.23
Satupaʻitea 1,120 FAST Asiata Salevao Leaoa 476 42.50
HRPP Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell 375 33.48
FAST Asiata Tuasivi Setu 269 24.02
Siʻumu 1,341 Independent Faʻalogo Kapeliele II Faʻalogo 492 36.69
FAST Tuʻuʻu Anasiʻi Leota 456 34.00
HRPP Faiva Lokeuaina Luamanuvae 335 24.98
SUP Tuʻuʻu Ekiumeni Fauolo 39 2.91
Independent Tofaeono Salamasina Tofacono 19 1.42
Vaʻa-o-Fonoti 960 Independent Mauʻu Siaosi Puʻepuʻemai 547 56.98
FAST Fuimaono Vaitolo Ofoia 267 27.81
HRPP Leausa Take Naseri 121 12.60
CDRP Taumainamoe Aufui Brown 25 2.60
Vaimauga 1 3,659 FAST Pauga Talalelei Pauga 1,231 33.64
HRPP Sulamanaia Tauiliili Tuivasa 1,096 29.95
SUP Fataʻaliʻi Milovale Moke 786 21.48
Independent Safai Iosua Selesele 546 14.92
Vaimauga 2 2,314 HRPP Lenatai Victor Tamapua 1,341 57.95
FAST Tamaleta Taimung Jensen 886 38.29
Independent Niuafolau Fauolegogo Tanielu 87 3.76
Vaimauga 3 4,005 HRPP Taioaliiseu Fiti Aimaasu 1,465 36.58
SUP Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai 1,339 33.43
FAST Nonu Laulu William Mauia 1,096 27.37
Independent Siligatusa Alosina Ropati 105 2.62
Vaimauga 4 2,602 HRPP Lima Graeme Tualaulelei 1,137 43.70
FAST Tonuʻu Fuamoli Misi 949 36.47
Independent Vaea Ivana Eli 322 12.38
SUP Lefau Harry Schuster 173 6.65
SLP Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu 21 0.81
Vaisigano 1 1,148 FAST Amituanaʻi Tautofi Roma 570 49.65
Independent Masoe Matemini Taulafo 420 36.59
SUP Niuava Eti Malolo 158 13.76
Vaisigano 2 979 Independent Motuopuaʻa Henny Papaliʻi 409 41.78
FAST Tagaloa Tupou Afa 193 19.71
FAST Sua Faʻavae Timoteo 166 16.96
SUP Valasi Toogamaga Tafito 135 13.79
HRPP Alopopo Siafausa Matafeo 76 7.76

Uncontested

[edit]

One candidate was elected unopposed:[16]

Constituency Candidate Party
Faleata 2 Leatinuʻu Wayne Soʻoialo SUP

Terms of parliament

[edit]

The Legislative Assembly is currently in its 17th session, its convention did not occur until several months after the 2021 Samoan general election was held, due to the 2021 Samoan constitutional crisis. The 17th parliament convened for the first time on 14 September 2021.[17]

Term Elected in Government
1st Legislative Assembly 1948 election United Citizens Party
2nd Legislative Assembly 1951 election No parties
3rd Legislative Assembly 1954 election
4th Legislative Assembly 1957 election
5th Legislative Assembly / 1st Parliament 1961 election
2nd Parliament 1964 election
3rd Parliament 1967 election
4th Parliament 1970 election
5th Parliament 1973 election
6th Parliament 1976 election
7th Parliament 1979 election
8th Parliament 1982 election Human Rights Protection Party
9th Parliament 1985 election Human Rights Protection Party / Christian Democratic Party
10th Parliament 1988 election Human Rights Protection Party
11th Parliament 1991 election
12th Parliament 1996 election
13th Parliament 2001 election
14th Parliament 2006 election
15th Parliament 2011 election
16th Parliament 2016 election
17th Parliament 2021 election Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi
18th Parliament 2025 election

Building

[edit]
Main article: Architecture of Samoa

The Fono is housed in a beehive-shaped building based on the traditional Samoan fale.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (5 July 2023). "Speaker to recognise Tuilaepa as Opposition Leader". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Legislative Assembly of Samoa" (PDF). Office of the Clerk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2017.
  3. ^ Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (16 September 2025). "Laaulialemalietoa sworn in as new Prime Minister". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  4. ^ Fana'afi Le Tagaloa, Aiono (1986). Land rights of Pacific women. University of the South Pacific;Institute of Pacific Studies. p. 103. ISBN 982-02-0012-1.
  5. ^ Parliament of Samoa: general information Archived 24 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Constitution Amendment 2015 (English)" (PDF). Parliament of Samoa. 3 June 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Constitution Amendment Act (No. 3)" (PDF). Parliament of Samoa. 31 January 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Samoa to bring about changes to parliament". RNZ. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Fa'aulusau Rosa Duffy-Stowers secures 5th Parliamentary seat for women". Talamua Online. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  10. ^ Electoral Act 1963, s16 Archived March 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Electoral Act 1963, s5 Archived 2 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (4 September 2025). "Official count ends, FAST takes 30 seats". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Ten caretaker ministers lose seats". Samoa Observer. 30 August 2025. Archived from the original on 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  14. ^ Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (30 August 2025). "Speaker loses seat in preliminary count". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  15. ^ Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai (4 September 2025). "Samoa general election: Final vote count completed, official results tomorrow". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rn4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ "Parliament to meet on 14 September: Fiame". Samoa Observer. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Legislative_Assembly_of_Samoa&oldid=1318535348"