Most government offices have closed for the day as Samoa prepares to go to the polls tomorrow.
Within these two days it’s been a practice for village councils to implement a curfew to prevent any voters from leaving the village or constituency.
While it is unknown what the intentions are, the electoral commissioner Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio says these are completely uncalled for and thus unconstitutional.
"Not only it’s unconstitutional in the sense that is restricting people's freedom of movement, it is also interfering with a voters ability to cast his or her vote freely," he stated.
The regulations clearly state that a person’s vote must be independent, and they must vote from wherever they are registered without others swaying their decision.
"It ls unduly influencing a voter which is also another serious offence under the law," added Faimalo.
The main concern for now, is that these curfews may restrict a person who has registered to vote elsewhere from voting.
So far, no offence has been reported as of interference with the process but the OEC is keeping a close eye for any deliberate actions that may restrict a person’s free will to vote.