By Staff Writer
Special voting booths are back for the general elections next Friday.
Voters are once again able to vote from anywhere without having to travel to their registered electoral constituencies to cast their ballots.
There was a mass movement of voters even before polling day, during the 9th April 2021 general elections, when special voting booths were set aside.
The return of the special votes is likely to be popular after the swell of voter complaints at the inconvenience in time and costs of travelling far just to vote.
Many felt it was easier and cheaper to pay non-voting fines rather than make the long and costly trip especially to Savaii for voters living in Upolu.
Obligations to provide for the extended family and other cultural obligations in the villages made up the main burden of traveling costs.
The Head of State, His Highness Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, gave the authority to the Electoral Commissioner this week to set up the special polling booths.
His Highness also declared next Wednesday 19 May 2021 as pre-polling date leading up to Polling Day on Friday 21 May 2021.
History will be made with the holding of general elections for the second time to decide a new Government since Samoa became independent in 1962.