(CNN) - A new wave of Black women are breaking barriers as they ascend to mayoral seats in cities with deeply rooted histories of racism and inequality.

Cape Vedians headed to the polls to cast their ballots in the parliamentary elections.

On voters' minds will be the Covid pandemic which has devastated the tourism-dependent economy.

Six parties are running for election in a vote where the prime minister has executive power

Among them Incumbent Prime Minister Correia e Silva, who is bidding for a second term with his centre-right Movement for Democracy (MpD) party.

Following last week’s election, Samoa’s long-time ruler could be displaced by the country’s first female leader.

Samoa is home to one of the world’s longest serving leaders. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malilegaoi has been in power since 1999, while his political party, the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), has dominated Samoan politics for 40 years.

Wellington (AFP) – Samoa’s cliff-hanger general election is a victory for under-represented women in Pacific island politics, regardless of the final outcome, opposition leader Fiame Naomi Mataafa said Monday.

Her FAST party is on the cusp of a major upset after Friday's vote, leaving incumbent Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi fighting for his political life after 22 years in office.