The first day of the first sitting of Samoa's parliament for 2025 Photo: Parliament of Samoa
Samoa's Supreme Court has ruled against extra time for the Electoral Commission to complete the electoral rolls ahead of an early election.
It follows the formal dissolution of its parliament on 3 June in the wake of several months of political uncertainty.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa had said she would call for the dissolution of parliament if Cabinet did not support her government's budget.
MPs from both the opposition Human Rights Protection Party and Fiame's former FAST party joined forces to defeat the budget with the final vote coming in 34 against, 16 in support and 2 abstentions.
Samoa's Electoral Commissioner said his office has filed an affidavit to the Supreme Court, seeking legal direction and an extra six weeks to complete the electoral roll ahead of an early election.
But the court has ruled there will be no extension.
RNZ Pacific's Samoa correspondent Galumalemana Tipi Autagavaia, who was in court today, said the Electoral Commissioner told local media after the ruling the country's election will now be held on the 29th of August.
Galumalemana said commissioner Toleafoa Tuiafelolo Stanley also said an official announcement of important election dates and times will be made on Tuesday next week.
