Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi Independent Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi Independent Indirect elections for the o le Ao o le Malo (head of state) were held in Apia on 19 July 2012.

He had been nominated by Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and seconded by Palusalue Fa’apo II, the leader of the opposition.

Although power is vested in the prime minister and their cabinet, the head of state can dissolve parliament, and no act can become law without their signature.

[6] As in the previous election, Tui Ātua was the only candidate; prime minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi of the Human Rights Protection Party re-nominated him, seconded by opposition leader Palusalue Fa’apo II of the Tautua Samoa Party.

For an individual to qualify to be head of state, they must be a citizen of Samoa, be eligible to run for parliament and not have previously been removed from office.