Solomon Islands general election, 1973

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General elections were held in the Solomon Islands in May 1973.[1] No party won a majority of the seats, leading to both the People's Progressive Party (PPP) and the United Solomon Islands Party (USIPA) attempting to win the support of the independent MPs led by Willie Betu. A government was formed by the People's Progressive Party and a group of independent MPs, with Solomon Mamaloni becoming the country's first Chief Minister.[2] Only six of the MPs elected in 1970 were re-elected.[1]

Electoral system

The Governing Council was enlarged from 26 seats to 33 seats prior to the election. Of the 33 members, 24 were elected in single-member constituencies and nine were appointed.[1]

Campaign

The PPP and USIPA were established in the run-up to the elections.[2] A total of 118 candidates contested the 24 elected seats.[1]

Results

Constituency Candidate Votes % Notes
Are'areDavid Kausimae1,22363.14Elected
Peter Kenilorea71436.86
Total1,937100
Central GuadalcanalDavid Thuguvoda61841.28Elected
Alfred Maeke50733.87
Moses Albert Rere19112.76
Allan Billy Masedi18112.09
Total1,497100
Central MalaitaCollin Gauwane56737.80Elected
George Maelalo24316.20
Lionel Oloni20113.40
Vincent Talauburi19012.67
Jazial Fono1338.87
Frank Lulu Bare895.93
Timeous Teioli654.33
Nelson Kifo120.80
Total1,500100
ChoiseulGideon Zoleveke69042.94Elected
Franklin Pitakaka31819.79
Allan Qurusu26316.37
Binet Gadebeta19211.95
Benjamin Robinson815.04
Peter Qorovuku633.92
Total1,607100
East GuadalcanalWaeta Ben61839.31Elected
David Valusa21613.74
Joel Kikolo17110.88
James Bosa1489.41
Sukuatu Malakia1137.19
Donasiano Pororasu835.28
Salathiel Lence Roger835.28
Total1,572100
East Isabel/SavoFrancis Reginald Kikolo62833.65Elected
Daniel Denys Maile52628.19
Wilson Sungi39421.11
Alfred Charles Bugoro31817.04
Total1,866100
East MakiraBenedict Kinika1,03461.84Elected
Geoffrey Kuper63838.16
Total1,672100
East MalaitaLeslie Fugui44127.19Elected
Faneta Sira33820.84
Billy Fa'arobo20512.64
John Maetia Kaliuae18811.59
Baddeley Koutu1116.84
Ben Gale975.98
Andrew Gwai885.43
Pita Saefafia Kirimaoma875.36
Jack Inifiri674.13
Total1,622100
Eastern Outer IslandsMoffat Bonunga1,00150.56Elected
John Melanoli50325.40
Shadrach Sade19910.05
John Palusi1768.89
David Dawea Taukalo1015.10
Total1,980100
Gizo/Ranongga/Simbo/KolombangaraGeorge Ngumi87662.30Elected
Anthony Ramoi27619.63
Bruce Ragoso14810.53
Aquila Talasasa553.91
Alfred Bisili513.63
Total1,406100
HoniaraAshley Wickham99154.39Elected
Peter J. Salaka48126.40
Colin Bentley19610.76
Stephen Anilafa Sipolo683.73
Moses Puibangara Pitakaka502.74
Paul Belande361.98
Total1,822100
KwaioJonathan Fiifii'i47736.78Elected
Frank Tafea'a33025.44
Paul Andrew Foasi23818.35
John Maesafi20015.42
John Fisango524.01
Total1,297100
Lau/MbaeleleaPhilip Solodia56644.67Elected
Mariano Kelesi47337.33
Nathan Wate19315.23
David Mark Tefetea352.76
Total1,267100
Marovo/KusagheSamuel Kuku57750.09Elected
Pulepada Ghemu57549.91
Total1,152100
NggelaMoses Mahomed Razak53728.17Elected
Abraham Siau48725.55
Richard Harper41921.98
Cecil Wilson Maneau1658.66
Frank Bollan Vikino1397.29
Ben Tumulima1045.46
Jeremiah Legaile Tovono552.89
Michael Aike542.83
Calisto Houma462.41
Gabriel Narasia402.10
Total1,906100
North West MalaitaJeriel Ofea Ausuta38934.92Elected
Clement Kiriau Ofai16915.17
Abel Limari'i15914.27
Bartholomew Leni Olea15714.09
Lemuel Liolea1089.69
Augustine Maelfodola1019.07
Jeriel Lifuasi312.78
Total1,114100
Roviana/RendovaJohn Page71457.53Elected
David E Kera22818.37
Joseph Nona16213.05
Alphonse Daga13711.04
Total1,241100
Shortlands/Vella LavellaAndrew Kukuti52841.41Elected
Gordon Siama45235.45
Dominic Outana29523.14
Total1,275100
Small MalaitaEmilio Li'I Ouou60842.40Elected
Anthony Saru34023.71
George Garnet26918.76
Richard Watekari21715.13
Total1,434100
South Guadalcanal/Rennell and BellonaStephen Cheka44022.73Elected
John Tepaika38719.99
George Pugeva34717.92
George Wilson Mangale33517.30
Paul John23712.24
Saddia Chachia834.29
Pende Cheryn763.93
Jokim Gapu311.60
Total1,936100
West Guadalcanal and RussellsMatthew Belamataga74534.85Elected
Orlie Torling43120.16
K Kesty Ta'afia35116.42
Bartholomew Buchanan26012.16
John Baptist Tura21410.01
Imogen Vida Phillips1376.41
Total2,138100
West IsabelWillie Betu1,05965.21Elected
Eric Anderson56534.79
Total1,624100
West Kwara'aePeter Kerr Thompson1,16972.74Elected
Alan Taki28817.92
Leonard Maenu'u1509.33
Total1,607100
West MakiraSolomon Mamaloni1,27274.00Elected
Nathaniel Rahumae Waena44726.00
Total1,719100
Registered voters/turnout
Source: Election Passport

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Decolonising the Solomon Islands: British theory and Melanesian practice Alfred Deakin Research Institute
  2. 2.0 2.1 Roland Rich, Luke Hambly & Michael G Morgan (2008) Political Parties in the Pacific Islands, ANU E Press, p106