- Fono
The Fono or "Legislative Assembly" is the
parliament ofSamoa . "Fono" is a Samoan and Polynesian term for councils great and small. It applies to national assemblies and legislatures, as well as local village councils. The Samoan Fono has 49 members, 47 members out of thematai s (traditional heads of families) in six two-seat and 35 single-seat constituencies and 2 members by the non-Samoan nationals. Members are directly elected by universal suffrage, and serve a five year term. TheO le Ao o le Malo is elected for a five year term by the fono.The Fono is descended from the Western Samoa Legislative Assembly established under New Zealand rule. On independence in 1962, the 5th Legislative Assembly became the
1st Samoan Parliament [ [http://www.parliament.gov.ws/general.cfm Parliament of Samoa: general information] ] .Elections
Elections are held under a simple plurality system. Samoan electors are divided into six two-seat and 35 single-seat constituencies. In addition, two seats are reserved for "individual voters", non-Samoan citizens who may not hold a chiefly title or any customary interest in Samoan land.
Electors must be Samoan citizens and aged over 21 [ [http://www.parliament.gov.ws/documents/general_info/Electoral_Reprint_2006.pdf Electoral Act 1963] , s16] . Candidates must be qualified as electors, and in addition those for territorial seats must hold a
matai title [ [http://www.parliament.gov.ws/documents/general_info/Electoral_Reprint_2006.pdf Electoral Act 1963] , s5] .Last election results
Legislative Procedures
Other functions
The fono is responsible for electing the
O le Ao o le Malo , the Samoan head of state.Terms of the Fono
The Fono is currently in its 14th term.
ee also
*
Electoral Constituencies of Samoa External links
* [http://www.parliament.gov.ws/ Official web site]
References
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