The HRPP was led into the election by Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi, who succeeded Tofilau Eti Alesana in 1998 following his resignation.

The newly formed Samoan United People's Party (SUPP) won a single seat, and 12 independents were successful.

Following the election, the HRPP won the support of four independents, including three non-member party affiliates, allowing it to remain in government.

SNDP Leader Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi resigned shortly after the party's loss and was succeeded by Le Mamea Ropati.

The Supreme Court later voided the election of five members of parliament, after finding them guilty of charges brought about by electoral petitions.

During the previous election held in 1996, the governing HRPP won 24 seats, losing its pre-election majority, although it remained the largest party.

[6][7] In 1998, Alesana resigned as prime minister and leader of the HRPP due to ill health, he was succeeded by Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi.

[8][5][9] During the time of the 2001 election, Samoa's parliament, the legislative assembly, was composed of 49 seats, with each member serving a five year term.

[12] Cabinet amended the 1963 electoral act in August 2000, establishing the register of voters as a separate entity from the legislative assembly.

[13] Although more Samoans resided outside Samoa than in the country around the time of the election, the HRPP government refused to entertain overseas voting.

Opposition Leader Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, opposed the government's decision due to the Samoan diaspora's significant contribution to the economy through remittance funds.

Opposition Leader Efi and the party proposed the establishment of a special task force to end corruption within the government and that independent commissions of inquiry investigate government scandals, including 1997 passports scandal and the controversial dismissal of Chief Auditor Su‘a Rimoni Ah Chong.

[22][5][21][23] The opposition leader blamed the HRPP administration for the mishandling of the state-owned Polynesian Airlines, which he claimed led to an increase in the nation's debt.

Three women won representation; two were newcomers, while Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa was the only incumbent female candidate to win re-election.

The prime minister claimed the appointment undercut rumours that Misa intended to leave the HRPP and form a new opposition party.

Of the ten petitions, five alleged corrupt practices on the part of the winning contestant, including bribery and treating and three challenged the eligibility of candidates.

One alleged a successful candidate's victory was carried by the votes of ineligible voters, while another petition claimed the results in a constituency were invalid.

Before the courts tried any petitions, one was withdrawn[35] after the petitioner, Afamasaga Fa‘amatala Tole‘afoa, reached an understanding with the defendant, Fagafagamanuli‘i Therese McCarthy, agreeing to reconcile due to their shared affiliation with the United Independents bloc (later the Samoan United Independents Party, SUIP).

[35] After the courts processed all the petitions and the occurrence of all subsequent by-elections, the HRPP seat share had risen to 29, the SNDP's total remained at 13, and independents occupied the rest.