Poll position: What Australia’s election holds for the Pacific

Australia’s policies toward the Pacific will continue to be primarily driven by China’s resurgence, no matter who is elected.  Commentary by Tess Newton Cain  When Solomon Islands and China signed a

Read More

FEO begins the destruction of 2022 ballot papers

The Fijian Elections Office is focused on preparations for the 2026 general election and the local government elections later this year. Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said this as the Fiji Elections Office today

Read More

It’s DO or DIE: Fiame fights for survival

Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has fought all her life. That’s not surprising, given that she was born in 1957, on the cusp of Samoa regaining its independence from New Zealand in 1962, due in part to the efforts of freedom

Read More

Five political parties sign agreement to form the next government

Leaders of five major political parties in Vanuatu — the Leaders Party, Graon mo Jastis Party (GJP), Vanua’aku Party (VP), Iauko Group, and the Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) have come together to sign an

Read More

Tuilaepa will contest in 2026 election

In a resolute display of political longevity, veteran parliamentarian and Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi made it clear that retirement is not on the horizon. At

Read More

Kiribati says travel ban will stop ‘chequebook diplomacy’ during elections

A ban on diplomatic visits to Kiribati during elections will safeguard against undue foreign influence during the formation of government, the head of its delegation at the Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting said. 

Read More

Kiribati elections: Voters wait for final results

Voters in Kiribati are awaiting the final results of the runoff round of elections on Monday.  Twenty-five of the 45 parliamentary seats were confirmed in the first round on Wednesday last week, with those candidates

Read More

114 candidates to contest Kiribati election, including 18 women

A hundred and fourteen candidates are to contest the Kiribati elections, starting on 14 August.  A second round of voting for the 44-seat parliament, Maneaba ni Maungatabu, is scheduled for 19 August.  Four

Read More

First round of French Pacific results show radicalisation, especially in New Caledonia

French Pacific results for the first round of French national snap elections have shown on Sunday a firm radicalisation, especially in the case of New Caledonia.  In both of New Caledonia’s constituencies, the

Read More

CARE, SIUP, SIPRA nominate Matthew Wale as Solomon Islands PM candidate

The Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE), Solomon Islands United Party (SIUP) and Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement(SIPRA) has officially nominated former Opposition leader Matthew

Read More

Election results for Gao-Bugotu Constituency in disarray after pre-polling ballots were left uncounted   

Election results for Gao-Bugotu Constituency in Isabel Province has been thrown into disarray after officials found pre-polling ballots for the constituency have not been counted.   Independent candidate Trevor Hedley

Read More

Sogavare returns for his 7th term

Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been re-elected for his seventh tenure as the Member of Parliament for East Choiseul.  The four-time Prime Minister secured his seventh parliamentary election by a total

Read More

Voter turnout reaches 50 percent, over 80 percent of seats declared

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has reported a 50 percent voter turnout so far, with the ongoing counting in Honiara.  In response to SIBC’s request for updates on the voter turnout, Chief Electoral

Read More

Tendered ballot papers used in Wednesday’s Joint Election

More than one hundred tendered ballot papers were issued to voters by some Presiding Officers during Wednesday’s election across the country.  Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Highwood Anisi confirmed this during the

Read More

Opinion: Your quick guide to the Solomon Islands elections

By Priestley Habru, University of Adelaide and 360info Staff Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare could retain power on 17 April but who stands in his way of making history?  Solomon Islands sits on the edge of a

Read More

CARE Leader calls for peaceful and respectful elections, 6,780 polling officials for 2024 joint elections

The Solomon Islands Leader of the Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE) Matthew Wale, who employed a character-assassination campaign approach in this year’s election campaign and sparked

Read More

More demonstrations expected in Noumea as New Caledonia voting rules change

Demonstrations have been held in New Caledonia – with more protests expected – from both pro- and anti-independence supporters after the French Senate endorsed a constitutional amendment bill to

Read More

“Palauans First” Campaign reboots: President Whipps seeks second term

In a rally echoing his “Palauans First” campaign slogan, President Surangel Whipps Jr officially launched his re-election bid on 11 February, becoming the first candidate to declare for the November 2024 general

Read More

Fiji election countdown: Blackout period begins

Yesterday banners, billboards and building hoardings bearing the faces of Fiji politicians and electoral candidates dotted Fiji’s landscape. Taxis, market buildings, carparks and private residences displayed

Read More

“Ready to Run” Campaign Training for Women Election Candidates

Building Public Confidence in Elections in Fiji Through Civil Society Action Dialogue Fiji Professor Shaista Shameem Vice Chancellor The University of Fiji Increasing the number of women in parliament is only a small

Read More

Women MPs should be the norm, not a novelty: Bale

The absence of any women in the Papua New Guinea parliament is a matter of deep national shame, says candidate, Tania

Read More

Outlook 2022: The year ahead

For the third year running, COVID-19 is defining and disrupting life, leadership and governance in the Pacific Islands. Compounded by climate change-related flooding and the devastating  Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai

Read More

Outlook 2022: The year in Pacific politics

By Sadhana Sen For the third year running, COVID-19 is defining and disrupting  life, leadership and governance in the Pacific. Compounded by climate change-related flooding and the devastating

Read More

Tuilaepa rallies in vain

The political car rally that took place in Apia led by former Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi on July 30 was reminiscent of the rallies staged by supporters of former President Donald

Read More