General elections were held in Western Samoa on 21 February 1976. All candidates ran as independents and voting was restricted to Matai and citizens of European origin ("individual voters"), with the Matai electing 45 MPs and Europeans two.[1] Following the election, Tupuola Efi became Prime Minister.
In the aftermath of the previous election held in 1973, parliament elected Fiamē Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II to another non-consecutive term as prime minister, defeating the incumbent Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV and challenger Tupuola Efi.[2] Fiamē served as Western Samoa's head of government until his death two years later in 1975. The O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) Malietoa Tanumafili II appointed Tupua Tamasese to serve as acting prime minister until the next election.[3]
Campaignedit
A total of 169 candidates contested the 47 seats. Four seats had only one candidate, who was returned unopposed.[4]
Resultsedit
Of the 36 incumbent MLAs contesting the elections, only 14 were re-elected. Ministers Alfonso Philipp and Fepuleai Samuelu were amongst those losing their seats.[3]
Party
Votes
%
Seats
Independents
9,203
100.00
47
Total
9,203
100.00
47
Valid votes
9,203
98.95
Invalid/blank votes
98
1.05
Total ballots cast
–
Registered voters/turnout
12,254
–
Source: Nohlen et al.
Aftermathedit
The election result in Fa'asaleleaga No. 4 where I'iga Suafole had won by one vote was overturned following a petition by runner-up Mulitalo Siafausa, who claimed that unqualified voters had participated in the election. The Supreme Court annulled one vote for Suafole, and a by-election was ordered for the seat.[5]
Following the elections, the Legislative Assembly elected Leota Leuluaiali'i Ituau Ale as Speaker. In the contest for Prime Minister, Tupuola Efi defeated the incumbent Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV by 31 votes to 16, becoming the first Prime Minister not to hold one of the four Tama-a-Aiga titles.[3] Efi appointed a nine-member cabinet, while Lealofi resigned from the Assembly and was elected to the Council of Deputies.[3]
^Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p782 ISBN0-19-924959-8
^"Stomachs, cars and liquor bars loomed large in Samoa election". Pacific Islands Monthly. April 1973. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
^ abcdTupuola Efi dispels a myth and upsets a Samoan tradition Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1976, pp29–30
^Campaigning at the bar Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1976, p75
^One lousy vote! Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1976, p11
October 27, 2023
1976, western, samoan, general, election, general, elections, were, held, western, samoa, february, 1976, candidates, independents, voting, restricted, matai, citizens, european, origin, individual, voters, with, matai, electing, europeans, following, election. General elections were held in Western Samoa on 21 February 1976 All candidates ran as independents and voting was restricted to Matai and citizens of European origin individual voters with the Matai electing 45 MPs and Europeans two 1 Following the election Tupuola Efi became Prime Minister 1976 Western Samoan general election 1973 21 February 1976 1979 outgoing memberselected members All 47 seats in the Legislative Assembly First party Party IndependentsLast election 47 seatsSeats won 47Seat changePrime Minister before electionTupua Tamasese Lealofi IVActingIndependent Subsequent Prime Minister Tupuola EfiIndependent Contents 1 Background 2 Campaign 3 Results 4 Aftermath 5 See also 6 ReferencesBackground editIn the aftermath of the previous election held in 1973 parliament elected Fiame Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II to another non consecutive term as prime minister defeating the incumbent Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV and challenger Tupuola Efi 2 Fiame served as Western Samoa s head of government until his death two years later in 1975 The O le Ao o le Malo head of state Malietoa Tanumafili II appointed Tupua Tamasese to serve as acting prime minister until the next election 3 Campaign editA total of 169 candidates contested the 47 seats Four seats had only one candidate who was returned unopposed 4 Results editOf the 36 incumbent MLAs contesting the elections only 14 were re elected Ministers Alfonso Philipp and Fepuleai Samuelu were amongst those losing their seats 3 PartyVotes SeatsIndependents9 203100 0047Total9 203100 0047Valid votes9 20398 95Invalid blank votes981 05Total ballots cast Registered voters turnout12 254 Source Nohlen et al Aftermath editThe election result in Fa asaleleaga No 4 where I iga Suafole had won by one vote was overturned following a petition by runner up Mulitalo Siafausa who claimed that unqualified voters had participated in the election The Supreme Court annulled one vote for Suafole and a by election was ordered for the seat 5 Following the elections the Legislative Assembly elected Leota Leuluaiali i Ituau Ale as Speaker In the contest for Prime Minister Tupuola Efi defeated the incumbent Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV by 31 votes to 16 becoming the first Prime Minister not to hold one of the four Tama a Aiga titles 3 Efi appointed a nine member cabinet while Lealofi resigned from the Assembly and was elected to the Council of Deputies 3 Position MinisterPrime Minister Tupuola EfiMinister of Agriculture Fuimaono MimioMinister of Communications Tofaeono TileMinister of Economic Affairs Asi EikeniMinister of Education Lilomaiava NikoMinister of Finance Vaovasamanaia FilipoMinister of Justice Ulualofaiga Talamaivao NikoMinister of Lands Mano TogamauMinister of Works Letiu TamatoaSee also editList of members of the Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa 1976 1979 References edit Dieter Nohlen Florian Grotz amp Christof Hartmann 2001 Elections in Asia A data handbook Volume II p782 ISBN 0 19 924959 8 Stomachs cars and liquor bars loomed large in Samoa election Pacific Islands Monthly April 1973 Retrieved 22 May 2022 a b c d Tupuola Efi dispels a myth and upsets a Samoan tradition Pacific Islands Monthly May 1976 pp29 30 Campaigning at the bar Pacific Islands Monthly March 1976 p75 One lousy vote Pacific Islands Monthly June 1976 p11 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1976 Western Samoan general election amp oldid 1157887868, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
