2019 Solomon Islands general election

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2019 Solomon Islands general election
Solomon Islands
← 2014 3 April 2019 2024 →

All 50 seats in the National Parliament
26 seats needed for a majority
Turnout86.41% (Decrease 3.52 pp)
Party Leader % Seats +/–
Democratic Party Matthew Wale 13.64 8 New
United Party Peter Kenilorea Jr. 10.43 2 New
Kadere Party Peter Boyers 9.50 8 +7
United Democratic Danny Philip 8.17 4 −1
Democratic Alliance Steve Abana 6.37 3 −4
People's Alliance Allan Kemakeza 6.00 2 −1
People First Jimmie Rogers 3.69 1 0
SIPRA Job D. Tausinga 3.19 1 0
Independents 36.54 21 −11
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Results by constituency
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Rick Houenipwela
Democratic Alliance
Manasseh Sogavare
OUR Party

General elections were held in Solomon Islands on 3 April 2019 to determine the composition of the 11th Parliament. The election was the first to occur since the conclusion of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2017. Parliament passed amendments to the electoral act in 2018 that included the introduction of pre-polling, a significant increase in campaign budgets for candidates and stricter penalties for individuals committing electoral offences such as vote-buying. Ten of the thirteen parties that contested the election won seats, and the Solomon Islands Democratic Party and the Kadere Party were the parties that secured the highest amount, winning eight each. However, as in previous elections, independent candidates won the largest share of seats, securing 21.

Two blocs emerged to attempt to form a government, including the Grand Coalition, with Mathew Wale as their candidate for prime minister. In contrast, the other bloc, the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement, nominated Manasseh Sogavare to challenge Wale. Sogavare had previously served as prime minister three times; his previous stint ended in 2017 after he lost a no-confidence vote. Wale challenged Sogavare's bid in court, claiming he was ineligible to stand for prime minister, as he registered his Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party (OUR) after the election (Sogavare ran as an independent), in breach of the electoral act. The high court ordered the vote for the prime minister to be postponed on the day it was scheduled to occur on 24 April; however, citing the constitution, Governor-General Frank Kabui ordered the vote to proceed. The Grand Coalition boycotted the vote in protest while parliament elected Sogavare to a fourth non-consecutive premiership. The vote sparked frustration with much of the public and resulted in riots in Honiara. The high court later dismissed Wale's case against Sogavare, determining it to have been based on repealed laws.

Background[edit]

Before the previous elections in 2014 Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo implemented biometric voter registration and voter identification cards to prevent individuals from voting multiple times. Two-thirds of the elected candidates were independents, winning 32 seats. Six different parties won the other 18 seats; the Democratic Alliance Party emerged with the most, securing seven seats. Five candidates of the United Democratic Party were successful, while three members of the People's Alliance Party were victorious. Three other parties, the Kadere Party, People First Party and the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Development, each won a single seat. Only one female candidate, Freda Soria Comua, was successful and became only the third woman elected to parliament in the country's history.[1][2] In an upset, Prime Minister Lilo lost his seat.[3]

Following the elections, negotiations on forming a government commenced. Independent MP Manasseh Sogavare, who previously served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, formed the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC), which included the Kadere Party, United Democratic Party and numerous independents. Sogavare established the DCC to form a government, and on 9 December parliament elected him to a third non-consecutive term as prime minister, defeating first-term MP Jeremiah Manele.[1][4]

In June 2017, the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands concluded operations in the country, the deployment of which was in response to ethnic violence that occurred from 1998 to 2003 and the resulting instability.[5]

In October 2017 nine cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga, and several backbenchers defected to the opposition, citing an unease with Sogavare's nephew and chief of staff, Robson Djokovic's alleged undue influence in government affairs. They also claimed that the prime minister ignored them on policy issues and that he had strayed from the coalition's initial goals.[6] On 6 November Sogavare lost a vote of no-confidence filed by the opposition, which was also how his previous stint as prime minister ended.[7] Parliament elected former Finance Minister Rick Houenipwela on 15 November to succeed Sogavare.[8]

Electoral system[edit]

The governor-general must schedule a general election to take place within four months of the dissolution of parliament. The nomination period commences the day after the announcement of the election date and concludes 42 days before the poll. The period for campaigning begins on the day of the proclamation of the polling date and ceases the day before the election.[9] The 50 members of the National Parliament were elected in single-member constituencies using first-past-the-post voting. Candidates had to be at least 21 years old and resident in the constituency in which they ran. Disqualifications included holding dual citizenship, being executives or members of the Electoral Commission, having an undischarged bankruptcy, being imprisoned for more than six months, or being under a death sentence.[10] Candidates running as members of a registered political party were not permitted to change their affiliation after the confirmation of their nomination; unless they withdrew and filed their candidacy again.[9] The 2018 electoral act raised the non-refundable nomination fee from SI$2000 to SI$5000 in an attempt to lower the number of candidates, especially "shadow candidates" who ran with the sole purpose of splitting votes to benefit other contestants. The electoral commission argued that with fewer candidates, the victor would gain a more decisive mandate.[11]

Voters[edit]

Voters had to be at least 18 years old and hold Solomon Islands citizenship. Overseas residents could not vote, and people were disqualified from voting if they had committed a breach of the electoral law, been declared insane, been imprisoned for more than six months, or were under a death sentence.[10] A total of 359,522 Solomon Islanders registered to vote in the elections, an increase of 72,000 compared to the 2014 elections.[12] The 2018 electoral act introduced pre-polling, which was open to polling staff and police officers that were to going to provide security for voting centres on election day.[13]

Parties and candidates[edit]

A total of 333 candidates were nominated to contest the election; 171 were affiliates of a party, and 162 were independents. There were only 26 female candidates, a similar amount to elections in the previous 20 years. Although the amount of female voters has usually been equal to male voters, few women have run in past elections due to biases such as a perception that women's influence should not extend beyond domestic duties.[14] Thirteen parties competed; however, parties in the Solomon Islands have tended to be personality-based, small, with limited organisation, and often lacking a clear ideology. Two candidates registered and campaigned as members of a party; however, disputes arose regarding proof of their affiliation. One candidate, Mark Kemakeza, campaigned as a member of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDC). However, the SIDC denied Kemakeza was an affiliate of the party and filed a complaint with the electoral commission, resulting in Kemakeza's disqualification in March 2019, decreasing the candidate total to 332.[15][16]

Party Candidates 2014 result
Votes (%) Seats
United Democratic Party 18 10.72%
5 / 50
Democratic Alliance Party 28 7.78%
7 / 50
Kadere Party 13 4.67%
1 / 50
People First Party 17 4.51%
1 / 50
People's Alliance Party 21 4.44%
3 / 50
Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement 10 3.90%
1 / 50
National Transformation Party 18 2.85%
0 / 50
Pan Melanesian Congress Party 3 2.11%
0 / 50
New Nation Party 2 0.31%
0 / 50
Peoples Progressive Party 3 0.24%
0 / 50
Solomon Islands Democratic Party 22
Solomon Islands United Party 29
Green Party Solomon Islands 3
Independents 162 56.27%
32 / 50

Campaign[edit]

As in other Melanesian countries, "money politics", which refers to candidates engaging in vote buying and political gifting, have historically featured heavily throughout campaign seasons in the Solomon Islands. To combat this practice, amendments in the 2018 electoral act implemented stricter penalties, including a SI$50,000 fine and a 15-year prison sentence. The electoral commission conducted an awareness campaign in the lead-up to the election, highlighting the consequences of engaging in this practice.[17] The 2018 amendments also increased the maximum campaign budget for candidates from SI$50,000 to SI$500,000 and, in turn, featured lavish spending from some contestants. Leadership quality, good governance and the economy were some of the most common issues many candidates focused on.[18]

The Solomon Islands' diplomatic relations with Taiwan were frequently debated during the campaign. Numerous candidates, such as former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, advocated for severing ties with Taiwan and establishing diplomatic relations with China due to the growing trade between the Solomon Islands and the latter. Despite having no formal diplomatic links, China had already become the Solomon Islands' largest export market. Incumbent Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela pledged a review of ties with Taipei if his government remained in power, although he clarified it did not mean a switch was inevitable.[19][20] In late March, the Island Sun reported that an unidentified party negotiated secretly with Chinese officials, promising to establish relations with Beijing in exchange for money.[21]

The campaign season concluded on 2 April, when the country's first campaign blackout period began, which from that day to the end of the election, barred campaigning and the public display of campaign material. The blackout was implemented by amendments in 2018; in previous polls, the night before polling day was known as the "devil's night" which would reportedly see an uptick in numerous candidates engaging in bribery and treating to secure last-minute votes.[22][23]

Conduct[edit]

The dissolution of the 10th Parliament occurred on 16 December 2018,[24] and Governor-General Frank Kabui announced the election date on 5 February 2019.[25] Pre-polling occurred on 21 March from 7:00 to 17:00 (UTC+11).[13] Shortly before the election, the Electoral Commission launched two apps that assist voters in finding their polling stations and where they could search for their identification number.[26]

Australian and New Zealand defence forces provided contingency logistics support before and during the elections, including approximately 300 personnel, HMAS Melville, and six support helicopters. Observers included New Zealand observer groups in three constituencies, Australian observer groups in fourteen constituencies, and Australian National University researchers and observers in fifteen constituencies.[27]

Days before the election, allegations surfaced of candidates threatening voters if they did not vote for them, which Police Commissioner Matthew Varley condemned.[28] On election day, polling stations were open from 7:00 to 17:00 (UTC+11),[29] although voters who were waiting in line before closing time but had not yet cast their ballots were allowed to vote.[30] An alcohol ban was in force on election day and during the counting period,[28] and over a thousand police officers were deployed around the country.[31] Some polling stations were reportedly too small, leading to overcrowding and a lack of privacy for voters. While the election was mostly orderly and peaceful, observer delegations noted the presence of irregularities, with some voters' names missing from electoral lists at polling centres.[29] Unlike past elections, once voting concluded, ballot boxes were transported to the capital Honiara where the vote counting occurred.[32] Fears of violence led the police force to be on alert as the results were being announced and also prompted the police commissioner to prohibit victory parades.[33][34]

Results[edit]

Eight parties won seats, none of which secured a majority. The Solomon Islands Democratic Party and the Kedare Party emerged as the largest parties, with eight seats each, and 21 independents were victorious.[11] As in the 2014 election, most incumbents won re-election; of the 48 who contested, 13 lost their seats, including former Prime Ministers Derek Sikua and Snyder Rini.[35] Two women, both incumbents, were elected. One of whom, Lanelle Tanangada, who won her seat in a 2018 by-election, narrowly defeated former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo for a second time.[36] Turnout exceeded 80% in most constituencies.[37]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Solomon Islands Democratic Party42,24513.648New
Solomon Islands United Party32,30210.432New
Kadere Party of Solomon Islands29,4269.508+7
United Democratic Party25,2958.174–1
Democratic Alliance Party19,7206.373–4
People's Alliance Party18,5736.002–1
People First Party11,4193.6910
Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement9,8783.1910
National Transformation Party4,6221.4900
Pan Melanesian Congress Party1,5140.4900
Green Party Solomon Islands6190.200New
New Nation Party5930.1900
Peoples Progressive Party3810.1200
Independents113,17836.5421–11
Total309,765100.00500
Valid votes309,76599.71
Invalid/blank votes9020.29
Total votes310,667100.00
Registered voters/turnout359,52386.41
Source: Solomon Islands Election Resources

By constituency[edit]

Constituency Elected MP Party Votes %
Aoke/Langalanga Matthew Wale Solomon Islands Democratic Party 3,712 46.9%
Baegu/Asifola Makario Tagini United Democratic Party 3,028 31.7%
Central Guadalcanal Peter Shanel Agovaka Independent 3,584 47.7%
Central Honiara John Moffat Fugui United Democratic Party 4,028 33.4%
Central Kwara'ae Jackson Fiulaua Independent 3,200 43.1%
Central Makira Nestor Ghiro Independent 3,803 70.4%
East ꞌAreꞌare Peter Junior Kenilorea Solomon Islands United Party 4,200 60.2%
East Central Guadalcanal Ishmael Avui Kadere Party 3,187 50.3%
East Choiseul Manasseh Sogavare Independent 1,860 59.3%
East Guadalcanal Bradley Tovosia Independent 3,985 69.2%
East Honiara Douglas Ete Solomon Islands Democratic Party 5,710 47.9%
East Kwaio Festus Stanley Sofu Independent 3,949 62.4%
East Makira Charles Maefai Independent 3,740 52.2%
East Malaita Manaseh Maelanga People's Alliance Party 2,966 56.8%
Fataleka Rexon Annex Ramofafia Solomon Islands United Party 2,628 41.2%
Gao/Bugotu Samuel Manetoali Kadere Party of Solomon Islands 2,457 50.9%
Gizo/Kolombangara Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada Kadere Party of Solomon Islands 4,397 51.7%
Hograno/Kia/Havulei Jeremiah Manele Democratic Alliance Party 4,568 73.5%
Lau/Mbaelelea Augustine Auga Independent 4,728 49.2%
Malaita Outer Islands Martin Mokolo Kealoe Solomon Islands Democratic Party 1,219 44.0%
Maringe/Kokota Culwick Togamana Democratic Alliance Party 2,462 46.1%
Marovo Chachabule Rebi Amoi People First Party 5,619 59.3%
Nggella Batholomew Parapolo Kadere Party of Solomon Islands 2,512 26.1%
North East Guadalcanal Jaimie Vokia Independent 1,835 38.5%
North Guadalcanal Samson Maneka Solomon Islands Democratic Party 2,320 41.3%
North Malaita Levi Senley Filualea Independent 2,698 38.9%
North New Georgia Dean Kuku Independent 2,267 64.1%
North Vella La Vella Clezy Rore United Democratic Party 2,232 54.5%
North West Choiseul Harry Kuma Independent 2,948 51.3%
North West Guadalcanal Bodo Dettke Solomon Islands Democratic Party 3,021 52.5%
Ranongga/Simbo Charles Sigoto Solomon Islands Democratic Party 2,592 57.5%
Rennell/Bellona Tautai Agikimu'a Kaitu'u Independent 837 27.7%
Russells/Savo Dickson Mua Independent 2,027 32.1%
Shortlands Christopher Laore People's Alliance Party 1,978 67.7%
South Choiseul Robertson Galokale Independent 999 19.1%
South Guadalcanal Rollen Seleso Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement 3,104 47.9%
Small Malaita Rick Nelson Houenipwela Democratic Alliance Party 2,302 33.6%
South New Georgia/Rendova/Tetepari Danny Philip United Democratic Party 1,577 43.9%
South Vella La Vella Fredrick Kologeto Independent 2,932 55.5%
Temotu Nende Commins Mewa Kadere Party of Solomon Islands 1,579 32.1%
Temotu Pele Duddley Kopu Independent 1,710 43.8%
Temotu Vatud Freda Soria Comua Kadere Party of Solomon Islands 1,344 47.2%
Ulawa/Ugi Willie Marau Kadere Party of Solomon Islands 1,778 52.2%
West ꞌAreꞌare John Maneniaru Kadere Party 3,223 55.9%
West Guadalcanal Anthony Veke Independent 4,407 62.8%
West Honiara Namson Tran Independent 5,683 66.3%
West Kwaio Titus Mokofi Fika Independent 1,697 30.6%
West Kwara'ae Sam Shemul Iduri Solomon Islands Democratic Party 1,996 23.3%
West Makira Derick Rawcliff Manu'ari Solomon Islands Democratic Party 2,637 43.3%
West New Georgia/Vona Vona Silas Kerry Vagara Independent 1,888 27.9%
Source: SIEC (results), SIEC (party affiliations)

Aftermath[edit]

Manasseh Sogavare was elected to a fourth non-consecutive term as prime minister.

Following the election, negotiations to form a government commenced. Two blocs emerged to compete to take the reins of government. One bloc, the Grand Coalition, was composed of the United Democratic Party, the Solomon Islands Democratic Party and the Solomon Islands United Party. The Grand Coalition initially announced that Peter Kenilorea Jr. would be the bloc's candidate for prime minister but ended up nominating Matthew Wale. The Grand Coalition did not explain why they ultimately settled on Wale.[38] Former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare relaunched the Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party (OUR Party) shortly after the election,[39] which, along with the Kadere, People First and Democratic Alliance parties, formed the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA).[40] Sogavare was the DCGA bloc's nominee for prime minister.[38]

Wale filed a lawsuit challenging Sogavare's candidacy, claiming he was ineligible to stand for prime minister because he registered his party after the election, a breach of electoral law.[41][42] Governor-General Frank Kabui scheduled the election for the prime minister to occur on 24 April.[43] Amid fears of violence, police officers were deployed around parliament.[44] The police commission also denied a request by a youth group to protest the prime minister's election.[45] The courts issued an injunction to parliament shortly before the scheduled poll, ordering the postponement of the vote. However, utilising the privilege of immunity from the courts, Governor-General Kabui instructed the vote to proceed.[46] Kabui stated that his decision was following the constitution, which grants the governor-general the final decision over any disputes regarding the election of the head of government.[47] In response, Wale and the 14 other members of the Grand Coalition boycotted the vote. Parliament elected Sogavare to a fourth non-consecutive term as prime minister; he received 35 votes, although one was spoilt.[48] Wale subsequently became the opposition leader.[47] Sogavare's return to the premiership sparked riots in Honiara due to public dissatisfaction over the prime minister's election and the lack of involvement citizens had with the government formation.[49][50] In late May, the courts dismissed Sogavare's eligibility case; Chief Justice Albert Palmer stated that the late party registration referenced repealed laws, while the case against the governor-general's decision referred to a law that conflicted with the constitution. Palmer also commented that it was not the court's job to fix deficient legislation.[41]

The first convention of the 11th Parliament occurred on 15 May.[51] That day, the new parliament elected former cabinet minister Patteson Oti, who had most recently served as high commissioner to Fiji, as speaker.[52] Sogavare's OUR Party saw numerous MPs join and by November 2019 the party had gained a decisive majority in parliament, occupying 32 seats.[53]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Solomon Islands National Parliament". IPU. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Solomon Islands election: Independents win two-thirds of parliamentary seats". Australian Broadcasting Company. 24 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
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  28. ^ a b "PC Varley Condemns Threats and Intimidation to Voters". Solomon Times. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  29. ^ a b Wiltshire et al. 2019, pp. 62–63.
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  52. ^ Fale, Steve (15 May 2019). "Patteson Oti Elected Speaker". Solomon Times. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  53. ^ Fanasia, Andrew (1 November 2019). "OUR Party Runs Show". Solomon Star. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2023.

Bibliography[edit]