1961 Western Samoan referendum

1961 Western Samoan referendum

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
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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.^[1] The referendums were supervised by the United Nations, and with both approved, the country gained independence on 1 January the following year.