#OPINION WHAT WE KNOW NOW: DEALING WITH ELECTION UNCERTAINTIES

By Vaai Nah Folasa

More than a week after the general election and Samoa is no closer to knowing who will govern us for the next 5 years.  Last night it was announced that an additional seat would be added to Parliament to meet Samoa's minimum quota for female candidates. An HRPP candidate had been appointed to make up the apparent shortfall.  This morning Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio (pictured above - photo credit Samoa Observer) announced his decision to join the FAST party which means there's still a 26/26 tie.

The OEC has done an amazing job in accommodating special voters, counting and re-checking every individual vote and has done so with thoroughness and efficiency. But still there is no outright winner.

So at this point, what do we know?

1. The electoral process remains faulty. In the lead up to the election there were numerous changes to the electoral system, to constituency boundaries and even to eligibility criteria. Voters were made to register for their appropriate seat and new electoral rolls finalised.  Yet in spite of all these changes to close loopholes why is it that the Court becomes the final arbiter?

Even before the final votes were tallied both parties were jostling to lodge challenges of bribery and treating. Knowledge of this appears to be wide spread. The continued incidence of such behaviour diminishes the value of our vote leaving it instead for the Court to decide the eventual outcome.

2. Voters too have  manipulated the electoral process. Prospective candidates who offer bribes or incentives as well as voters who accept such incentives are equally guilty and should be dealt with accordingly.

The rationalisation of the electoral rolls clearly has not eliminated all anomalies.  There are reported to be numerous incidents of multiple voting.  It is possible that a person may successfully register under different names. However how the marking your finger with indelible ink was circumvented needs to be investigated and resolved.

3. Our political landscape has been changed forever.  This must be viewed as a positive evolution. A viable opposition (insert name here) and a government (likewise) to be held accountable at every turn will be a welcome change. Democracy is alive and well.

4. Perhaps by coincidence, Samoa is mirroring the electoral outcome of other countries. Most previous elections in Samoa have been a landslide win to one party. A few seats here and there but generally political dominance. In Australia, New Zealand and even in  the USA , the final outcome of recent elections has gone down the wire and new allegiances have been formed to establish effective government. Maybe this reflects 50:50 polarisation of issues or party policies. What it does do is reinforce the importance of the right to vote and the strength of self determination.

5. Our Constitution never envisaged a single party dominance for so long yet it has stood the test of time. Likewise in spite of rumblings of whether a split 2 party system will work we must have confidence that the Constitution is robust and effective. The principles embodied in the Constitution were well thought through. Have faith - we are in good hands.

Conclusion.
We all await the swearing in of the XVII Parliament.  We also look forward to further review of the electoral process to eliminate the potential for corruption and give us greater certainty.

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Va'ai Nah Folasa is a journalist for EyeSpy Radio in Samoa