The 1991 general election
More than 56,000 Western Samoans went to the polls on Friday, 5 April 1991, in the country's first general election since the introduction of universal suffrage (Observer 3 April 1991). A total of 156 candidates competed for seats in the 47- member parliament —60 under the HRPP banner, 40 for the SNDP and 56 independents. Three candidates contested the two seats set aside for individual voters. Two candidates were elected unopposed (Leniu Avamagalo from Vaimauga East and Vaai Kolone from Vaisigano No. 1).
Polling booths were open from nine o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon, with provisional results starting to come inover the two local radio stations at about six o'clock. By midnight provisional results for all the territorial constituencies and two representatives for the individual voters were known.
— Universal Suffrage in Western Samoa: The 1991 General Elections
A Timespace showing the evolution of women's right to vote around the world. Cover image by Giacomo Ferroni. Under construction!