The closest election race in Samoa's history was due to be called over night with official counting in the final stretch.
At the time this program was recorded both the caretaker Human Rights Protection Party and the new Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party each had 25 seats in the 51 member parliament.
The balance was held by a single independent MP, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, who was set to become a king or queen maker if the numbers remained the same.
However there were two closely contested seats on Savaii with the potential to tip the scales of power.
Either it is the tightest election race Samoa has had in decades.
Many political commentators have highlighted controversial pieces of legislation introduced by the caretaker government ahead of the election as the main reason it has lost so many supporters this year.
But a local academic says the constitutional changes were only the tip of the iceberg.
The Samoa Electoral Commission shows electoral officials monitoring the counting during the general election in the capital city of Apia. Photo: AFP or licensors
