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.
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?
