Do you agree that every citizen of Western Samoa who has attained the age of 21 years is entitled to be registered to vote at any General Election or By-Election?
For
52.62%
Against
47.38%
Do you agree that there should be a second Assembly for Parliament to be called the Maota o le Aganuu comprising members from each of the eleven traditional divisions of Western Samoa, such members to be elected in accordance with custom and tradition?
A constitutional referendum was held in Western Samoa on 12 November 1990. Voters were asked whether they approved of the introduction of universal suffrage and a second chamber of Parliament. The first change was approved by 52.6% of voters, but the second opposed by 60.7%. Voter turnout was 74.3% for the first question and 73.7% for the second.[1]
Although universal suffrage was introduced, candidates in elections still had to be part of the Matai.[2]
Results
Question One: Universal Suffrage
Choice
Votes
%
For
20,149
52.6
Against
18,141
47.4
Invalid/blank votes
1,844
–
Total
40,143
100
Registered voters/turnout
54,002
74.32
Source: Nohlen et al.
Question Two: Second chamber of Parliament
Choice
Votes
%
For
14,355
39.3
Against
22,119
60.7
Invalid/blank votes
3,331
–
Total
39,785
100
Registered voters/turnout
54,002
73.67
Source: Nohlen et al.
References
^Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p786 ISBN0-19-924959-8