Samoan referendum, 1961

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A double referendum on a new constitution and independence took place in Western Samoa on 10 May 1961. A Constitutional Convention of Matai and associated groups had drawn 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.

Results

Independence

Do you agree that on 1 January 1962 Western Samoa should become an independent State on the basis of that Constitution?^[2]

New constitution

Do you agree with the Constitution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention on 28 October 1960?^[3]

References

v t e Elections and referendums in Samoa General elections 1923 1926 1929 1932 1935 1938 1948 1951 1954 1957 1961 1964 1967 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 Referendums 1961 1990