Tight Race in Solomon Islands Election with Opposition Parties Gaining Seats
The Solomon Islands election, which has been closely monitored by China and the U.S. for its potential impact on regional security, is shaping up to be a tight race with opposition parties gaining ground and independents holding the key to forming the next government.
Last week’s national election marked the first since Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare signed a security pact with China in 2022, a move that raised concerns among the U.S. and Australia about the implications for regional security.
As the counting of votes continued on Monday, results showed the opposition CARE coalition and Sogavare’s OUR party tied with 12 seats each in the 50-seat parliament. Independents and micro parties secured 16 seats, making them crucial players in the negotiations to form a government.
The CARE coalition, which includes the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, U4C, and the Democratic Alliance Party, is in a strong position with the potential addition of two independent candidates. Another opposition party, United, led by Peter Kenilorea Jr., who vowed to scrap the China security pact, won seven seats.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo made a comeback to parliament after a decade, representing the Party for Rural Advancement. Meanwhile, Daniel Suidani, a vocal critic of China and former premier of Malaita province, expressed optimism about his party, U4C, regaining the premiership.
The election saw two women entering parliament for the first time as independents, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the political landscape.
Despite a few disturbances in Malaita by supporters of losing candidates, the election process overall remained peaceful. Police and defense forces from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji provided assistance in ensuring election security.
Prime Minister Sogavare, in an interview with Solomon Islands’ Tavuli News, promised “a lot of reforms” if his government is re-elected, setting the stage for potential changes in the country’s governance.
The outcome of the election remains uncertain as parties engage in negotiations to secure the support needed to form a government. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
