Chamber:
	Fono - Legislative Assembly
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	26 April 1996
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office, which had been extended from three to five years in 1991.
Background and outcome of elections:
	General elections had previously been held in April 1991. In November 1991, the Legislative Assembly approved legislation to increase the parliamentary term from three to five years and to raise the number of seats from 47 to 49. In January 1994, the introduction of a value-added tax on goods and services provoked public demonstrations and protest rallies, as well as demands for the resignation of the Prime Minister. Two months later, the Government agreed to amend the most controversial aspects of the tax. There were altogether 163 candidates for the Assembly's 49 seats. According to final polling results, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) led by Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana lost five seats, bringing its new total to 21. For its part, the main opposition Samoan National Development Party (SNDP) - a coalition comprising the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) and some independents - dropped from 16 to 11 seats, while the remainder went to independent candidates. The vote count incurred delays; the chief electoral officer stated that these were due principally to complications with the recent increase in the number of voters. On 17 May, Mr. Alesana was re-elected Premier by the Fono.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (26 April 1996): Elections results
Number of registered electors	78,137
Voters	67,491 (86.37%)

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Candidates	Votes	%
Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP)	57	29,408	43.5
Samoan National Development Party (SNDP)	42	17,586	26.1
Independents	55	18,454	27.3
Others	9	2,021	3

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP)	24	-2
Samoan National Development Party (SNDP)	11	-5
Independents	13	+8
Others	3	+1

Comments:
	2 seats added since last elections

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	45
Women:	4