1932 Western Samoan general election

General elections were held in Western Samoa on 9 November 1932.[1]

Electoral system

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In 1930 the constitution was amended to reduce the number of Europeans in the Legislative Council from three to two and to have two Samoans nominated.[2]

The two elected European members were elected from a single two-seat constituency, with only Europeans allowed to vote.[1] Voters were able to vote for two candidates.

Campaign

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Five candidates contested the two available seats. Brothers-in-law Irving Carruthers and Alan Cobcroft were both supported by the Chamber of Commerce and the Planters' Association, as well as many civil servants. The other three candidates all ran as independents, including sitting member Samuel Meredith.[1] Alexander W. Johnston, the other incumbent member, had died in June 1932 and his seat left vacant until the elections.[3]

Results

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CandidateVotes%Notes
Irving Carruthers7625.08Elected
Alan Cobcroft7223.76Elected
Robert Graham Bruce6922.77
Robert Carl Wekell4715.51
Samuel Meredith3912.87Unseated
Total303100.00
Total votes157
Registered voters/turnout17291.28
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly[1]

Aftermath

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The newly elected Council met for the first time on 23 March 1933.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Samoan elections, Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1932, p38
  2. ^ Samoa is settling down, Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1930, p5
  3. ^ "The coming elections to the Legislative Council" Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1932, p42
  4. ^ Maiden Speeches Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1933, p33