‘The right person’: What did Solomon Islanders vote for?
After a relatively well-organised and peaceful day of voting in Solomon Islands, the electoral commission is working with donor partners to safely transport ballot boxes from polling stations all over the country to centrally located counting venues.
It is a massive exercise with over 200 New Zealand Defence Force personnel providing logistical support across the 29,000 square kilometre sprawling island chain to ensure that those who want to vote have an opportunity to do so.
Chief electoral officer Jasper Anisi said there were some preliminary processes to be completed once all ballot boxes were accounted for, but he expected counting to begin on Thursday.
“Mostly it will be verification of ballot boxes and ballot papers from the polling stations. But once verification is done then counting will automatically start,” Anisi said.
SIEC declares first three results
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has declared the first results of the 2024 Joint Election.
The results are for two Provincial Wards are Anuta Ward in Temotu and Tirotonga Ward in Isabel and the Honiara City Council Kukum Ward.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and Commissioner Jasper Highwood Anisi declared that the winning candidate for Anuta Ward is Fenua John Wesley, Tiritonga Ward Leo James Teimana and Robert Oge for Kukum Ward.
CEO Anisi confirmed that the three winning candidates have met all eligibility requirements.
The declaration of the winning candidates came after the respective Returning Officers for the three wards confirmed Wednesday under Regulation 23 (a) of the Provincial Assemblies and Honiara City Council Election Regulation 2024.
SIEC also added that all sealed ballot boxes will be transported to respective provincial headquarters under the watch of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) waiting for counting starting tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in a press conference after the closure of the polls, CEO Anisi acknowledged all the voters, contesting candidates, supporters the general public for the peaceful turnout today.
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) is an independent Constitutional Electoral Management Body that is responsible for voter registration and the conduct of elections at the Parliamentary, Provincial Assemblies, and Honiara City Council levels.
