SUVA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Voting kicked off in Samoa on Friday, with more than 100,000 eligible voters heading to the polls for the snap election of the island nation.
According to the Electoral Office, a total of 187 candidates will contest 51 seats in parliament, representing six political parties and 46 independents.
More than 400 polling stations open for voting, with some 1,300 polling officials and around 500 police officers on duty to maintain order, the office said.
Local media reported that polling booths across the country open at 8 a.m. local time, but people started lining up at dawn, most hoping to get voting out of the way.
Polling will close at 3 p.m. local time.
In Samoa's 51-seat Parliament, a majority is 26 seats, if at least six women are elected.
If fewer than six women win, additional seats are added to meet the constitutional quota, which can increase the total number of seats and change the majority threshold.
The snap election was called in May after the national budget 2025-2026 was rejected by the parliament. The Head of State of Samoa Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II dissolved the parliament on the request of then Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. ■
