By Lance Polu/

Apia, Samoa – 30 August 2025 – As a first-time voter, Joshua Joseph Tevaga of Afiamalu, made sure it was a significant and special moment. For that reason, the 22-year-old with disability decided not to register for pre-polling in the Vaimauga 3 constituency.

“I wanted to experience what it feels like to be at the voting booth, be in the queue among other voters, then cast my vote for the very first time,” he told Talamua.

But what he found when he went to cast his vote at the Catholic Centre polling booth at Malololelei, completely disappointed him.

When he gave his name to the officer with the election roll at the voting booth, Joshua was surprised to be told, that he had already cast his vote during Wednesday’s pre-polling.

Not believing what was hearing, he insisted that he had not voted and that he did not ever register to vote at pre-polling.

Seeing that he did not have the ink mark on his thumb to indicate he had already voted, the officer then decided to have him fill and sign a form before he could vote.

Joshua did not know what the form was as all he wanted was to cast his vote.

After signing the form, he was handed his voting paper then briefed by the officer on who the candidates were, then proceeded to the desk a few steps away, took awhile to absorb the moment, then ticked who he voted for and finally inserted his voting paper in the ballot box.

He had completed something he found very important. As a disabled person, he had voted for the very first time and had taken part in the democratic and political process in choosing Samoa’s leaders and government.

Despite his lifelong disability, the arts enthusiast and a once promising former Avele College student, still exudes hope and inspiration despite his condition being a barrier to completing his studies.

Back home at Afiamalu, he was on the telephone most of Friday night as he followed the results and outcome of the elections.

We reported the incident to the Office of the Electoral Commissioner, and we were told they have not been made aware of it but will investigate and follow through.

OEC also confirmed that they are investigating an incident at Aana Alofi 2 during pre-polling on Wednesday where 20 elderly voters who were not registered for pre-polling but were allowed by the returning officers to vote.

Meanwhile, OEC has yet to provide the official preliminary results of the elections as of last night. Special votes are being opened this morning and the final count starts next Monday including the pre-polling votes.

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