4 Oct 2011

Samoa PM calls for elimination of two-member electorates

3:39 pm on 4 October 2011

Samoa's Prime Minister wants to see the larger, two-member electorates split so only one person represents a constituency in parliament.

Last month, cabinet instructed the Attorney General's office to review the Electoral Act and the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says he wants any amendments approved and in force by the next general election in 2016.

Tuilaepa says he also wants increase the number of women in parliament, backing a plan of a guaranteed minimum of 10 percent female representation

Currently the larger multi member electorates have two representatives.

Tuilaepa says this is often counter-productive and it's a situation that needs to change.

"It has been a subject of debate which seem to have caused quite a lot of problems. Especially for parties in fielding members, and expecting them to work together but instead they don't do that."

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.