1961 Western Samoan referendum

(Redirected from Samoan referendum, 1961)

10 May 1961

Do you agree with the Constitution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention on 28 October 1960?


For			86.49%
Against			13.51%

Do you agree that on 1 January 1962 Western Samoa should become an independent State on the basis of that Constitution?


For			85.40%
Against			14.60%

Politics of Samoa


Constitution
Executive O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II Council of Deputies Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio Cabinet Ministries
Legislative Legislative Assembly Speaker: Papali’i Li’o Taeu Masipau Members
Judiciary Court of Appeal of Samoa Supreme Court Chief Justice: Satiu Simativa Perese
Elections Recent elections General: 2011 2016 2021 Next Political parties
Administrative divisions Divisions
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa Diplomatic missions of / in Samoa Nationality law Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Other countries
v t e

A double referendum on a new constitution and independence took place in Western Samoa on 10 May 1961. A Constitutional Assembly of Matai and associated groups had been elected the previous year to draw up a proposed constitution. It reflected the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy, but restricted both standing and voting in elections to the Matai. The referendums were supervised by the United Nations, and with both approved, the country gained independence on 1 January the following year.

Results

New constitution

Do you agree with the Constitution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention on 28 October 1960?

Choice	Votes	%
For	31,426	86.49
Against	4,909	13.51
Invalid/blank votes	1,562	–
Total	37,897	100
Source: Direct Democracy

Independence

Do you agree that on 1 January 1962 Western Samoa should become an independent State on the basis of that Constitution?

Choice	Votes	%
For	29,882	85.40
Against	5,108	14.60
Invalid/blank votes	2,907	–
Total	37,897	100
Source: Direct Democracy

References

Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p780 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
West-Samoa, 10. Mai 1961 : Verfassung Direct Democracy
West-Samoa, 10. Mai 1961 : Unabhängigkeit Direct Democracy

External links

Plebiscite Day newsreel Archives New Zealand

v t e Elections and referendums in Samoa
General elections	1924 1926 1929 1932 1935 1938 1941 1944 1948 1951 1954 1957 1960 1961 1964 1967 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 Next
Referendums	1961 1990

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