Samoan general election, 1985
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in Samoa
on 22 February 1985. Voting was restricted to Matai
and citizens of European origin ("individual voters"), with the Matai electing 45 MPs and Europeans two. The result was a victory for the Human Rights Protection Party
, which won 32 seats. Its leader, Tofilau Eti Alesana
, remained Prime Minister.
However, in December, 11 members of the HRRP defected to form a coalition government with the Christian Democratic Party
, and Va'ai Kolone
was elected Prime Minister.
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
on 22 February 1985. Voting was restricted to Matai
Fa'amatai
Fa'amatai is the chiefly system of Samoa, central to the organization of Samoan society.It is the traditional indigenous form of governance in the Samoa Islands, comprising American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa...
and citizens of European origin ("individual voters"), with the Matai electing 45 MPs and Europeans two. The result was a victory for the Human Rights Protection Party
Human Rights Protection Party
The Human Rights Protection Party is a Samoan political party. It has been the dominant party in Samoan politics since 1982.The party was co-founded in May 1979 by Va'ai Kolone and Tofilau Eti Alesana in opposition to the government of Tupuola Efi...
, which won 32 seats. Its leader, Tofilau Eti Alesana
Tofilau Eti Alesana
Tofilau Eti Alesana, AC, born Aualamalefalelima Alesana, was a Samoan politician. He was born in Vaitogi, Tutuila, American Samoa to a Samoan upper-class parents, Reverend James Alesana Fai'ivae and Vaoita Iosefa Mala'itai...
, remained Prime Minister.
However, in December, 11 members of the HRRP defected to form a coalition government with the Christian Democratic Party
Christian Democratic Party (Samoa)
The Christian Democratic Party was a political party in Samoa. The party was founded in February 1985 by the supporters of former Prime Minister Tupuola Taisi Tufuga Efi...
, and Va'ai Kolone
Va'ai Kolone
Va'ai Kolone was a Prime Minister of Samoa and a founder of the Human Rights Protection Party in Samoa. He served as Prime Minister twice, first between 13 April and 18 September 1982, and then from 30 December 1985 until 8 April 1988...
was elected Prime Minister.
Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Rights Protection Party Human Rights Protection Party The Human Rights Protection Party is a Samoan political party. It has been the dominant party in Samoan politics since 1982.The party was co-founded in May 1979 by Va'ai Kolone and Tofilau Eti Alesana in opposition to the government of Tupuola Efi... |
4,698 | 34.5 | 32 | |
| Christian Democratic Party Christian Democratic Party (Samoa) The Christian Democratic Party was a political party in Samoa. The party was founded in February 1985 by the supporters of former Prime Minister Tupuola Taisi Tufuga Efi... |
2,052 | 15.1 | 15 | New |
| Independents | 6,850 | 50.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 86 | |||
| Total | 13,686 | 100 | 47 | 0 |
| Source: Nohlen et al | ||||