| Country: | Western Samoa |
| Date: | 10 May 1961 |
| Barwidth: | 180px |
| Part1 Subject: | Do you agree with the Constitution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention on 28 October 1960? |
| Part1 Choice1: | For |
| Part1 Percentage1: | 86.49 |
| Part1 Choice2: | Against |
| Part1 Percentage2: | 13.51 |
| Part2 Subject: | Do you agree that on 1 January 1962 Western Samoa should become an independent State on the basis of that Constitution? |
| Part2 Choice1: | For |
| Part2 Percentage1: | 85.40 |
| Part2 Choice2: | Against |
| Part2 Percentage2: | 14.60 |
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.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 31,426 | 86.49 |
| Against | 4,909 | 13.51 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 1,562 | – |
| Total | 37,897 | 100 |
| align=left colspan=3 | Source: Direct Democracy |
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 29,882 | 85.40 |
| Against | 5,108 | 14.60 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 2,907 | – |
| Total | 37,897 | 100 |
| align=left colspan=3 | Source: Direct Democracy |