31 Mar 2006

Final moves in Samoa's election campaign

6:44 pm on 31 March 2006

One of the opposition groups in Samoa says after 20 years of rule by the Human Rights Protection Party, voters are ready for change.

Opposition parties have been highlighting concerns over the cost of living, education and health during their campaigns.

A candidate for the Samoa Democratic United Party, Tainang Jensen, who is standing in one of the seats set aside for non-Samoan residents, believes people want action to solve these issues.

"This time the people are prepared to vote for change. They are crying out openly now compared to the last election, because in the last election I think the HRPP was OK, but now the people are crying out and you know when the mob cries out, there should be a change."

But the prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele is confident that the people still support his party.

Why do you have to change? You change because the government is not doing anything, but because we have done more than is expected of the government, that is why people love us and want us to come back.

Voting gets underway at nine o'clock in the morning.