By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific reporter in Apia, SamoaVoting commenced in Samoa’s general election today, with more than 100,000 eligible voters heading to the polls to decide the country’s next government. A total of 187 candidates will contest 50 seats in Parliament, representing six political parties and 46 independents. Caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa’s Samoa United Party has 26 candidates, while the Samoa Labour Party has five. On the eve of voting, the villages were calm, with councils gathering for evening prayers to pray for election day. The RNZ Pacific team on the ground spoke to voters who cast their votes this morning.