View source for 2001 Samoan general election

{{short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election 
|country = Samoa
|type = parliamentary 
|previous_election = 1996 Western Samoan general election 
|previous_year = 1996
|next_election = 2006 Samoan general election 
|next_year = 2006
|seats_for_election = All 49 seats in the [[Legislative Assembly of Samoa|Legislative Assembly]]
|majority_seats = 25
|election_date = 2 March 2001
|image_size = 130x130px

|image1 = Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi (cropped)1.jpg
|leader1 = [[Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi]]
|party1 = Human Rights Protection Party
|last_election1 = 43.54%, 24 seats
|seats1 = 23
|seat_change1 = {{decrease}} 1
|popular_vote1 = '''34,262'''
|percentage1 = '''44.82%'''
|swing1 = {{increase}} 1.28 [[Percentage point|pp]]

|image2 = Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi 00 (cropped).jpg
|leader2 = [[Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi]]
|party2 = Samoan National Development Party
|last_election2 = 26.09%, 11 seats
|seats2 = 13
|seat_change2 = {{increase}} 2
|popular_vote2 = 17,966
|percentage2 = 23.50%
|swing2 = {{decrease}} 2.59 [[Percentage point|pp]]

|image3 = {{Election image filler|Samoan United People's Party|SUPP}}
|leader3 = 
|party3 = Samoan United People's Party
|last_election3 = –
|seats3 = 1
|seat_change3 = ''New''
|popular_vote3 = 1,898
|percentage3 = 2.48%
|swing3 = ''New''

| map_image =
| map_caption = Results by constituency 
| title = [[Prime Minister of Samoa|Prime Minister]]
| posttitle = Subsequent Prime Minister
| before_election = [[Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi]]
| before_party = Human Rights Protection Party
| after_election = [[Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi]]
| after_party = Human Rights Protection Party
}}{{Politics of Samoa}} 

General elections were held in [[Samoa]] on 2 March 2001 to determine the composition of the 13th Parliament.<ref>{{harv|Nohlen et al.|2001|p=782}}</ref> Four parties contested the election, including the ruling [[Human Rights Protection Party]] (HRPP) and the main opposition [[Samoan National Development Party]] (SNDP). The HRPP was led into the election by Prime Minister [[Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi]], who succeeded [[Tofilau Eti Alesana]] in 1998 following his resignation. 

No party won a majority; the HRPP secured the most seats, winning 23, while the SNDP won 13. The newly formed [[Samoan United People's Party]] (SUPP) won a single seat, and 12 independents were successful. Following the election, the HRPP won the support of four independents, including three non-member party affiliates, allowing it to remain in government. SNDP Leader [[Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi]] resigned shortly after the party's loss and was succeeded by [[Le Mamea Ropati]]. The Supreme Court later voided the election of five members of parliament, after finding them guilty of charges brought about by electoral petitions.

== Background ==

During the previous election held in 1996, the governing HRPP won 24 seats, losing its pre-election majority, although it remained the largest party. The main opposition, the Samoan National Development Party, secured 11 seats, and the newly formed Western Samoa Labour Party won a single seat. Independents saw a rise in support, with 13 entering parliament; the decline in support for both major parties was reportedly due to the HRPP's 1994 corruption scandal and the widespread perception of the SNDP as an ineffective opposition.<ref>{{harv|Nohlen et al.|2001|p=785}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Peteru |first1=Chris |title=A balancing act |journal=Pacific Islands Monthly |date=1 June 1996|volume=66 |issue=6 |pages=52–53 |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-343537447/view?partId=nla.obj-343561821#page/n52/mode/1up |access-date=11 June 2024|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

In 1997, parliament voted to change the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa. Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana argued an official change was necessary to resolve a naming inconsistency, as numerous organisations worldwide, including the United Nations, referred to the nation simply as Samoa. The prime minister alleged that Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the opposition leader and a former prime minister, was responsible for the inconsistency, having ordered a change in the name used at the United Nations. Tui Ātua opposed the change, arguing it risked offending American Samoans, as the name Samoa may have originated outside Western Samoa. The opposition leader also claimed the motion was a distraction from a passport scandal that surfaced in the same year, where the government had been illegally selling Samoan passports to Chinese and Taiwanese nationals.{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|1998}}<ref name="results"/> While the governor of American Samoa, [[Tauese Sunia]], expressed no issue with the modification, many American Samoans believed the change would undermine the territory's identity.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/1997/07/31/american-samoa-concern-over-western-samoas-name-change-samoa |work=Pacific Islands Report|title=American Samoa Concern Over Western Samoa's Name Change to Samoa|access-date=11 September 2021 |date=31 July 1997|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210911010838/http://www.pireport.org/articles/1997/07/31/american-samoa-concern-over-western-samoas-name-change-samoa|archive-date=11 September 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Samoan History |url=https://ws.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/samoan-history/ |publisher=U.S. Embassy in Samoa |access-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513160552/https://ws.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/samoan-history/ |archive-date=13 May 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1998, Tofilau resigned as prime minister and leader of the HRPP due to ill health,  he was succeeded by Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi. Tofilau remained in cabinet as a minister without portfolio until his death in 1999.<ref>{{cite news |title=Role of former P.M. Tofilau acknowledged |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/25019 |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=Samoa Observer |date=3 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611004802/https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/25019 |archive-date=11 June 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="results"/>{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2006|p=356}}

== Electoral system ==

During the time of the 2001 election, Samoa's parliament, the legislative assembly, was composed of 49 seats, with each member serving a five year term. Thirty-five members were elected from single-member constituencies, six constituencies elected two members, whilst the other two were elected through individual voters, mostly non-ethnic Samoans and individuals with partial Samoan ancestry. Candidates were elected using the [[First-past-the-post voting]] system. Only [[Faʻamatai|Matai]] ''(Chiefs)'' were permitted to contest any of the 47 constituencies, whilst the other two seats were open to all individuals.<ref name="ipuS">{{cite web |title=Electoral System |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2351_B.htm |publisher=IPU |access-date=13 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130152907/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2351_B.htm |archive-date=30 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|1993|p=3}}
The controversial Electoral Amendment act, which came into effect in 2000, required candidates to have resided in Samoa for at least three years to qualify as a candidate. Previously, the requirement was 12 months.<ref name="results"/> Civil servants were not allowed to run.<ref name="ipuS"/>

=== Voters ===

The government introduced Universal suffrage in 1991, granting Samoan citizens aged 21 and older the right to vote. Voters could elect to enrol in a constituency rather than the one where they reside by right of significant family ties or matai titles. As a result, the population of constituencies and the constituency's voter roll have not always correlated.<ref>{{harv|Haley et al.|2017|pp=19,22}}</ref> Cabinet amended the 1963 electoral act in August 2000, establishing the register of voters as a separate entity from the legislative assembly. The 2001 election was the first in which it was compulsory for all eligible individuals to register to vote. The new register of voters commenced the enrollment of electors in October 2000. There were only two registration centres where individuals could enrol or update their details, with one each at [[Mulinu{{okina}}u]] on Upolu, and Savaiʻi. Due to the centres being severely understaffed, the process was reportedly chaotic, with long queues, and many voters waited for several hours. One person died while in line, and several fights broke out due to discontent over the process. As a result, Health Minister [[Misa Telefoni Retzlaff]] unsuccessfully called for the election's postponement. At the closure of voter registration on 19 January 2001, a total of 92,788 voters were registered.{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2002|pp=225-227}} 

==== Overseas voting ====

Although more Samoans resided outside Samoa than in the country around the time of the election, the HRPP government refused to entertain overseas voting. Prime Minister Tuila‘epa expressed his opposition to allowing "outsiders" to participate in the electoral process and said that "they (Samoans abroad) don't understand, and they don't feel the pain serving Samoa day in and day out." The prime minister also stated that if overseas ballots were allowed, "Parliament might as well be moved from Mulinu{{okina}}u to [[Canberra]]." Opposition Leader Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, opposed the government's decision due to the Samoan diaspora's significant contribution to the economy through remittance funds.{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2002|p=227}}

== Schedule ==

On the advice of the prime minister, the [[O le Ao o le Malo]] (head of state), [[Malietoa Tanumafili II]], signed a declaration on 22 January 2001, ordering the dissolution of the 12th Parliament, which went into effect the following day. Voter registration closed on 19 January. The O le Ao o le Malo issued the writ for the election on 30 January. The deadline for candidates to register or withdraw was on 16 February, and the return of the writ occurred on 18 March.{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2002|pp=225-227}}{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|pp=5-6}}

{| class="wikitable"
!Date
!Event
|-
|19 January 
|Registration for voters closes
|-
|23 January
|The 12th Parliament is dissolved 
|-
|30 January 
|O le Ao o le Malo issues Writ for the election 
|-
|16 February
|Candidate nominations close
|-
|2 March
|Election day
|-
|18 March
|Writ for the election returned 
|}

== Parties and candidates ==

Four parties contested the election, including the governing Human Rights Protection Party, led by Prime Minister Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi, and the main opposition Samoan National Development Party, led by Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi.<ref name="results"/> The Samoa All People's Party (SAPP) and the newly formed Samoa United People's Party (SUPP), which registered with the electoral commission a month before the poll, also participated.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=23}}

A total of 153 candidates competed in the election, a slight decrease from the 163 in 1996. The HRPP fielded 55, while 33 were affiliated with the SNDP. The SUPP stood five candidates, the SAPP had one contestant, and the other 59 were independents.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=23}} Among the independents were five HRPP affiliates who were challenging incumbents from the party; they were, therefore, not permitted to run as members of the HRPP due to the party's policy of endorsing incumbents over challengers.<ref>{{harv|Haley et al.|2017|p=34}}</ref><ref name="results"/> Nine candidates were women; four were HRPP members, while the other five were independents.{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2002|p=224}}

{| class=wikitable
!colspan=3|Party
!Leader
!Candidates
!Founded
!1996 seats
|-
| style="background:{{party colour|Human Rights Protection Party}};" |
| colspan="2" |[[Human Rights Protection Party]]
| [[Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi]]
| 55
| 1979
| {{Composition bar|24|49|{{party colour|Human Rights Protection Party}}}}
|-
| style="background:{{party colour|Samoan National Development Party}};" |
| colspan="2" |[[Samoan National Development Party]]
| [[Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi]]
| 33
| 1988
| {{Composition bar|11|49|{{party colour|Samoan National Development Party}}}}
|-
| style="background:{{party colour|Samoa All People's Party}};" |
| colspan="2" |[[Samoa All People's Party]]
| [[Matatumua Maimoana]]
| 1
| 1996
| {{Composition bar|0|49|{{party colour|Samoa All People's Party}}}}
|-
| style="background:{{party colour|Samoan United People's Party}};" |
| colspan="2" |[[Samoan United People's Party]]
| {{N/A}}
| 5
| 2001
| {{N/A}}
|-
| style="background:{{party colour|Independent politician}};" |
| colspan="2" |[[Independent politician|Independents]]
| {{N/A}}
| 58
| {{N/A}}
| {{Composition bar|13|49|{{party colour|Independent politician}}}}
|}

== Campaign ==

Party manifestos rarely featured in previous elections; however, the 2001 poll saw an increased presence of political manifestos. Both the HRPP and SNDP published one, and it was the first election in which the HRPP had a clearly defined platform. Despite this, public engagement with the party platforms was low, and some voters reported that the manifestos were not widely available. Many candidates chose to campaign on their record and what they aimed to accomplish as individuals if elected, and often did not make mention of their party's policies or their party affiliation altogether. Significant issues of concern among voters included infrastructure, rural development, healthcare and education.<ref>{{harv|Vaʻa et al.|2006|pp=73,74,110}}</ref>

The HRPP campaigned on increasing foreign aid to improve the country's infrastructure. The party also announced its intentions to boost the economy and improve the health and education sectors. The prime minister claimed the opposition SNDP could not provide a credible alternative to the HRPP and the Samoan people.<ref>{{harv|Vaʻa et al.|2006|p=137}}</ref><ref name=campaign>{{cite news |title=Samoans Gearing Up for Friday Election |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/01/samoans-gearing-friday-election|work=Pacific Islands Report|access-date=22 November 2021|date=1 March 2001|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190927024133/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/01/samoans-gearing-friday-election|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The SNDP platform focused on reforming the government and ceasing corruption. Opposition Leader Tui Ātua and the party proposed the establishment of a special task force to end corruption within the government and that independent commissions of inquiry investigate government scandals, including 1997 passports scandal and the controversial dismissal of Chief Auditor Su‘a Rimoni Ah Chong.<ref name=guide>{{cite web |title=Election Guide |url=https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/1309/ |access-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=  https://web.archive.org/web/20210911010829/https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/1309/ |archive-date=11 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=results>{{cite web |title=SAMOA Parliamentary Chamber: Fono - Legislative Assembly |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2351_01.htm |publisher=IPU |access-date=22 November 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142348/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2351_01.htm|archive-date=17 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="campaign"/><ref>{{harv|Vaʻa et al.|2006|p=138}}</ref> The opposition leader blamed the HRPP administration for the mishandling of the state-owned [[Samoa Airways|Polynesian Airlines]], which he claimed led to an increase in the nation's debt. The party carried out weekly press conferences criticising the government. Tuilaʻepa predicted that the HRPP would retain power.<ref name="campaign"/>

== Conduct ==

On election day, polling stations were open from 9:00 to 15:00.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=34}} Voters still queuing to vote at 15:00 were handed special cards by polling staff, allowing them to cast their ballots. Voting was reportedly peaceful and orderly,{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=35}} despite intense weather in [[Upolu]] and Western [[Savaiʻi]] in the final hours of voting.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=34}} The preliminary count was completed on election day, and the official count began on 3 March and concluded ten days later.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=36}}

== Results ==

The official results were released on 12 March.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=36}} The HRPP won the most seats but fell short of a majority, securing 23, similar to the 24 seats it won in the previous election. The SNDP secured 13, an increase of two compared to its seat share in 1996; one SUPP member was successful, and 12 independents were elected. One member was elected unopposed. Three women won representation; two were newcomers, while [[Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa]] was the only incumbent female candidate to win re-election. Half of the MPs in the new parliament were newcomers or former members.{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2002|pp=224-225}}<ref name="results"/> Two cabinet ministers were unseated.<ref>{{harv|Vaʻa et al.|2006|p=86}}</ref>

{{Election results
|image=[[File:Samoa Fono 2001.svg]]
|party1=[[Human Rights Protection Party]]|votes1=34262|seats1=23|sc1=–1
|party2=[[Samoan National Development Party]]|votes2=17966|seats2=13|sc2=+2
|party3=[[Samoan United People's Party]]|votes3=1898|seats3=1|sc3=New 
|party4=[[Samoa All People's Party]]|votes4=10|seats4=0|sc4=0
|party5=[[Independent politician|Independents]]|votes5=22315|seats5=12|sc5=–1
|invalid=360
|total_sc=0
|totalvotes=&nbsp;
|tvtitle=Total ballots cast
|electorate=92791
|source=Nohlen ''et al''.
}}

==Aftermath==
Following the election, four independents joined the HRPP, permitting it to remain in government. Three of these new HRPP members had pledged to join the party if they were victorious, while one had intended to join whichever party won the most seats.{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2002|pp=225-227}}<ref>{{cite news |title=HRPP Reclaims Control of Samoa Government, Tuilaepa Still Prime Minister |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/16/hrpp-reclaims-control-samoa-government-tuilaepa-still-prime-minister |work=Pacific Islands Report |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=16 March 2001|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211122005500/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/16/hrpp-reclaims-control-samoa-government-tuilaepa-still-prime-minister|archive-date=22 November 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> The HRPP caucus elected Health Minister [[Misa Telefoni Retzlaff]] as the party's deputy leader, he subsequently became deputy prime minister. Both positions had been vacant since Tuila‘epa assumed office as prime minister in 1998. The prime minister claimed the appointment undercut rumours that Misa intended to leave the HRPP and form a new opposition party.<ref>{{cite news |title=Samoa's Tuilaepa Returns as HRPP Leader; Misa Elected Deputy Leader |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/14/samoa%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99s-tuilaepa-returns-hrpp-leader-misa-elected-deputy-leader |work=Pacific Islands Report |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=14 March 2001|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211121233500/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/14/samoaâ%C2%80%C2%99s-tuilaepa-returns-hrpp-leader-misa-elected-deputy-leader|archive-date=21 November 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=dpm>{{Cite news|url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/19026|title=Misa becomes new Minister of Finance |work=Samoa Observer|access-date=22 November 2021|date=20 March 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919185059/https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/article/19026 |archive-date=19 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''O le Ao o le Malo'', [[Malietoa Tanumafili II]], officially opened the 13th parliamentary session on 19 March 2001.<ref name="dpm"/>
The SNDP demanded a second recount in 20 constituencies, claiming the initial vote tally and the original recount were flawed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Samoa Opposition Allegdes Foul Play in Election Vote Recount |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/16/samoa-opposition-alleges-foul-play-election-vote-count |work=Pacific Islands Report |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=16 March 2001|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180720041215/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/16/samoa-opposition-alleges-foul-play-election-vote-count|archive-date= 20 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Samoa Opposition Claims Voting Irregularities |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/15/samoa-opposition-claims-voting-irregularities |work=Pacific Islands Report |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=15 March 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211122011218/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/15/samoa-opposition-claims-voting-irregularities|archive-date=22 November 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi resigned as leader of both the opposition and the SNDP, he was succeeded by [[Le Mamea Ropati]].<ref name="dpm"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Now Another Opposition Leader in Samoa |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/21/now-another-opposition-leader-samoa |work=Pacific Islands Report |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=21 March 2001|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201124004055/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/03/21/now-another-opposition-leader-samoa|archive-date=24 November 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Some unsuccessful candidates filed electoral petitions against their victorious opponents. Of the ten petitions, five alleged corrupt practices on the part of the winning contestant, including bribery and treating and three challenged the eligibility of candidates. One alleged a successful candidate's victory was carried by the votes of ineligible voters, while another petition claimed the results in a constituency were invalid. Before the courts tried any petitions, one was withdrawn{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=48}} after the petitioner, Afamasaga Fa‘amatala Tole‘afoa, reached an understanding with the defendant, Fagafagamanuli‘i Therese McCarthy, agreeing to reconcile due to their shared affiliation with the United Independents bloc (later the Samoan United Independents Party, SUIP). Fagafagamanuli‘i withdrew a counter-petition.{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2002|p=231}} The courts dismissed four petitions, while it upheld five - voiding the results in these constituencies.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=48}} After the courts processed all the petitions and the occurrence of all subsequent by-elections, the HRPP seat share had risen to 29, the SNDP's total remained at 13, and independents occupied the rest.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=50}} Parties in parliament are required to have at least eight seats to attain recognition as a parliamentary party;{{sfn|Asofou Soʻo|2008|p=197}} because the SUPP fell short of this threshold, the party's sole MP was classified as an independent.{{sfn|Fetuao Toia Alama|2003|p=50}}

==See also==
*[[List of members of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa (2001–2006)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{Refbegin|35em}}
* {{cite report |author1=Fetuao Toia Alama |title=General Elections 1991, 1996 & 2001 Report |url=http://www.parliament.gov.ws/documents/general_info/General_Election_1991%2C_1996_&_2001_Report.pdf |website=www.parliament.gov.ws |publisher=Office of the Chief Electoral Officer |access-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002034452/http://www.parliament.gov.ws/documents/general_info/General_Election_1991%2C_1996_%26_2001_Report.pdf |archive-date=2 October 2006 |date=2003 |url-status=dead}}
* {{cite report |last1=Haley |last2=Ng Shiu |last3=Baker |last4=Zubrinich|last5=Carter |first5=Salā George |title=2016 Samoa General Election |url=http://ssgm.bellschool.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/uploads/2017-11/samoa_election_report_2016_0.pdf |publisher=[[Australian National University]]|page=22|access-date=11 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401093124/http://ssgm.bellschool.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/uploads/2017-11/samoa_election_report_2016_0.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2019 |date=August 2017 |url-status=dead|ref={{harvid|Haley et al.|2017}} }}
* {{cite book |last1=Nohlen|first1=Dieter |title=Elections in Asia and the Pacific : A Data Handbook Volume II: South East Asia, East Asia, and the South Pacific |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0199249598 |pages=779–794|ref={{harvid|Nohlen et al.|2001}}}}
* {{cite book |author1=Asofou Soʻo|title=Universal Suffrage in Western Samoa: The 1991 General Elections |date=1993 |publisher=Australian National University |location=Canberra |isbn=0731515463|url=https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/133716/1/Universal_Suffrage_in_Western_Samoa.pdf |access-date=11 September 2021}}
* {{cite journal |author1=Asofou Soʻo |title=Polynesia in review: Samoa |journal=Contemporary Pacific |date=1998 |volume=10 |issue=1 |page=222 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/201676185/823AF1E34AF34D26PQ/1?sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals |access-date=11 June 2024|url-access=subscription|publisher=University of Hawaii Press |location=Honolulu}}
* {{cite journal |title=Samoa in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001 |url=https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/958556b0-3cca-4eaa-b1e4-ece6a937c43c/content |author1=Asofou Soʻo|journal=The Contemporary Pacific |volume=14 |issue=1|pages=224-236|year=2002|access-date=3 December 2022}}
* {{cite book |author1=Asofou Soʻo |editor1-last=Rich |editor1-first=Roland |editor2-last=Hambly |editor2-first=Luke |editor3-last=Morgan |editor3-first=Michael |title=Political parties in the Pacific Islands |date=2008|publisher=Australian National University Press |location=Canberra |isbn=1921313757 |pages=185–206 |chapter=The Establishment and Operation of Samoa's Political Party System}}
* {{cite book |author1=Asofou Soʻo |editor1-last=Firth |editor1-first=Stewart |title=Globalisation and Governance in the Pacific Islands: State, Society and Governance in Melanesia |date=2006 |publisher=Australian National University Press |pages=349-362 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt2jbj6w.22 |access-date=11 June 2024 |chapter=More Than 20 Years of Political Stability in Samoa under the Human Rights Protection Party}}
* {{cite book |author1=Leatuaolevao Ruby Vaʻa|author2=Gatoloaifaʻana Tili Afamasaga|author3=Emma Kruse Vaʻai|author4=Esther Batiri Williams |title=The 2001 Samoa General Elections |date=2006 |isbn=982-01-0699-0 |publisher=Samoa Distance and Flexible Learning Centre, University of the South Pacific|ref={{harvid|Vaʻa et al.|2006}}}}
{{Refend}}

{{Samoan elections}}

[[Category:Elections in Samoa]]
[[Category:2001 elections in Oceania|Samoa]]
[[Category:2001 in Samoa|General]]
[[Category:March 2001 events in Oceania|Samoa]]
[[Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results]]