The Samoa Government is moving to ensure the independence of the country’s Electoral Commissioner, the equivalent of our Election Commissioner by enshrining in law that the post will be appointed by the Head of State on advise of Cabinet.
A bill to make this happen has been introducde in the current sitting of Parliament.
At present the electoral commissioner is appointed by cabinet.
According to the proposed legislation, “The Commissioner must act independently and must not be subject to any direction or order of any other person (except for a court direction or order) when carrying out the following functions: conducting elections or referendums; conducting registration of voters and political parties; advising on electoral matters; any other prescribed functions.
The Commissioner will also be the Chief Executive of the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (O.E.C.) and is appointed on three-year terms.
