Solomon Islands general election, 2014

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General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 19 November 2014.[1] Independent candidates won 32 of the 50 seats in the National Parliament, with the Democratic Alliance Party emerging as the largest party with seven seats.

Background

The elections were the first since the end of the Regional Assistance Mission in mid-2013.[2] Previous elections in 2006 were followed by racial rioting, particularly targeting Chinese immigrants.[3]

Electoral system

The 50 members of the National Parliament were elected in single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post system.[4]

Voters had to be at least 18 years old and hold Solomon Islands citizenship. Overseas residents could not vote, and people were disqualified for voting if they had committed a breach of the electoral law, een declared insane, were imprisoned for more than six months, or were under a death sentence.[4]

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. [4]

Campaign

A total of 443 candidates were nominated to contest the elections, a reduction on the 509 that ran in 2010.[5]

Conduct

In March 2014 a biometric voter registration system was introduced. Transparency Solomon Islands claimed that it had received anecdotal evidence of some candidates purchasing numerous ID cards.[6] However, in May the Electoral Commission stated that it had not received any formal complaints.[7]

Following the elections, an election official attempted to steal a ballot box as it was taken for counting near Auki. After police started chasing the official, he dropped the box and disappeared into the jungle.[8] The head of the Commonwealth election observers group commended the Solomon Islands for a peaceful election process.[2]

Results

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo lost his seat in the Gizo-Kolombangara constituency, losing to his nephew Jimson Tanangada of the United Democratic Party.[9]

As nearly two-thirds of the MPs returned are independent and the incumbent Prime Minister lost his seat, negotiations began to form a coalition government and select a new Prime Minister.[2]

Party Votes % Seats +/–
Democratic Alliance Party 7–5
United Democratic Party 5New
People's Alliance Party 3+3
Kadare Party of Solomon Islands 1New
Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement 1–2
Solomon Islands People First Party 1New
Direct Development Party 0–3
National Transformation Party 0New
New Nation Party 0New
People's Progressive Party 0New
Solomon Islands Pan-Melanesian Congress Party 0New
Youth Owned Rural and Urban Party 0New
Independents 32+15
Total 500
Source: Election Commission

References

  1. ↑ Solomon Islands to go to the polls on November 19 ABC, 8 October 2014
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Solomon Islands election: Independents win two-thirds of parliamentary seats". ABC. ABC. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Zero tolerance for violence in Solomons", 25 April 2006, New Zealand Press Association
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Electoral system IPU
  5. ↑ 443 Candidates to contest Elections The Island Sun, 29 October 2014
  6. ↑ Allegations of widespread fraud ahead of Solomon Islands elections ABC, 20 March 2014
  7. ↑ Solomon Islands' Electoral Commission says a formal complaint must be made before there is any investigation into voter rigging Radio Australia, 12 May 2014
  8. ↑ Solomon Islands election: Caretaker PM Gordon Darcy Lilo ousted in shock result ABC, 21 November 2014
  9. ↑ Solomon Islands election: caretaker PM Gordon Darcy Lilo concedes he has lost seat ABC News, 23 November 2014