Poll preparations continue as parliament vote nears
HONIARA, Solomons (PINA Nius) — The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission is continuing with election preparations despite the introduction of an amendment bill seeking to extend the life of Parliament from four to five years.
Chief Electoral Officer John Babalu said his office is preparing to review voters’ lists, register voters and make other arrangements necessary to hold this year’s general election.
He said the bill seeking an extension of the life of Parliament is for members of Parliament to decide.
He admitted that the commission will be facing some problems this year.
Mr. Babalu said two provincial headquarters, which had custody of voters’ lists, were destroyed during the two years of ethnic conflict between the indigenous people of Guadalcanal and Malaita.
He also said funding had been slow reaching the commission and the large number of guns still at large meant election officials and voters may be intimidated.
