General elections were held in Samoa on 26 April 1996. The result was a victory for the Human Rights Protection Party, which won 24 of the 49 seats. The Samoan National Development Party won 11 seats, the Samoa Liberal Party 1, and independents 13. Following the elections, the 12th Samoan Parliament was sworn in on 16 May 1996. The HRRP was able to form a government with the support of 10 independent MPs.