Solomon Islands general election, 2010
Encyclopedia
A general election was held in the Solomon Islands
on 4 August 2010. In May 2010, Prime Minister Derek Sikua
announced that the election would be held on 4 August, however, this announcement was deemed to be premature, as only the Governor General has the authority to announce the election date upon the advice of the Electoral Commission. In the end, this date was used, however.
was reported in progress, as several political groups jockied to form a coalition government
. No candidates for the Solomon Islands leadership post of Prime Minister
had yet been announced however it appears that three main camps have formed.
The first camp is built around the outgoing government led by Derek Sikua. One of its spokespeople, Matthew Wale, claimed on 13 August that the group has the support of five parties and 30 MPs including the Democratic Party (SIDP, 14 MPs), the National Party
(or Nasnol Pati, 3 MPs), the Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA, 3 MPs), the Liberal Party (2 MPs), the People's Congress Party (PCP, 2 MPs), and six independents. This camp is based at the Heritage Hotel.
A second camp is based around three parties: the Ownership, Unity and Reconciliation (OUR, 4 seats) party, which is led by a former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
; the Direct Development Party (DDP, 2 MPs), which is led by former Director of the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE); and the Reform and Democratic Party (RDP, 2 seats), which is led by a former Deputy Prime Minister Danny Philip
. This camp is based at the Pacific Casino Hotel.
A third camp is led by the newly-established Independent Democratic Party (IDP), led by Snyder Rini and is based at Honiara Hotel. The IDP's party secretary Leonard Kaitu'u explained that the IDP was the successor to a previous party, the Association of Independent Members. Kaitu'u has suggested that their camp will also get support from the People's Alliance Party (PAP) and the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA). However, it is not clear whether the PAP won any seats in the new parliament and it is possible that SIPRA will decide to join with the Heritage Hotel camp. A spokesman for the group denied that cash incentives were being used to secure members for the coalition.
International Election Observation Coordination Team. The elections were described as peaceful, although strong concerns were expressed about voter registration
irregularities.
25 incumbents were returned and 25 were replaced (including three seats where the incumbent chose not to recontest and one seat that was vacant due to the death of Edward Huni'ehu). Of the 50 MPs, most are relatively inexperienced: 45 have served less than two terms in office. The five long-serving MPs are Job Dudley Tausinga (entering his 7th consecutive term), Danny Philip (5th term), Snyder Rini (4th term), Manasseh Sogavare (4th term) and Gordon Darcy Lilo (3rd term).
OUR = Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) Party, SIDP = SI Democratic Party, RDP = Reform Democratic Party, SIPRA = SI Party for Rural Advancement, SINP = SI National Party, DDP = Direct Development Party, RUPP = Rural and Urban Development Party, IDP = Independent Democratic Party, SILP = SI Liberal Party, PCP = People's Congress Party, PFP = People's Federation Party, Ind. = independent (or affiliation unknown)
*Note that returning MPs are marked with an asterisk (*) and that party affiliations are based on the affiliations recorded by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and as reported in various news reports. In some cases, MPs have been assigned dual party affiliations where the available reporting is unclear.
on 24 August 2010, with 26 votes compared with 23 for his rival, the SIDP's Steve Abana
.
In a victory speech following the Prime Ministerial election, Philip stated that his first priority would be to form a new government. He said his government would actively support the country's Constitutional Reform process. This had been one of his central campaign pledges, and the reason why he had formed the Reform Democratic Party.
Upon naming his Cabinet, he appointed Manasseh Maelanga
as his deputy
.
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
on 4 August 2010. In May 2010, Prime Minister Derek Sikua
Derek Sikua
David Derek Sikua served as the ninth Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from December 20, 2007 to August 25, 2010. He is a member of the Solomon Islands Liberal Party.-Career:Sikua is from Ngalitavethi Village in Guadalcanal Province...
announced that the election would be held on 4 August, however, this announcement was deemed to be premature, as only the Governor General has the authority to announce the election date upon the advice of the Electoral Commission. In the end, this date was used, however.
Election
On 11 August 2009, lobbyingLobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
was reported in progress, as several political groups jockied to form a coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
. No candidates for the Solomon Islands leadership post of Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
had yet been announced however it appears that three main camps have formed.
The first camp is built around the outgoing government led by Derek Sikua. One of its spokespeople, Matthew Wale, claimed on 13 August that the group has the support of five parties and 30 MPs including the Democratic Party (SIDP, 14 MPs), the National Party
National Party (Solomon Islands)
The National Party is a political party in the Solomon Islands.At the legislative elections on 5 April 2006, the party won 6.9 % of the vote and 4 out of 50 seats....
(or Nasnol Pati, 3 MPs), the Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA, 3 MPs), the Liberal Party (2 MPs), the People's Congress Party (PCP, 2 MPs), and six independents. This camp is based at the Heritage Hotel.
A second camp is based around three parties: the Ownership, Unity and Reconciliation (OUR, 4 seats) party, which is led by a former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
Manasseh Sogavare
Manasseh Damukana Sogavare was the sixth Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2006 to 2007. He has served in the National Parliament as Member for East Choiseul since 1997, and he is currently the Leader of the Opposition.-Biography:Sogavare was Permanent...
; the Direct Development Party (DDP, 2 MPs), which is led by former Director of the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE); and the Reform and Democratic Party (RDP, 2 seats), which is led by a former Deputy Prime Minister Danny Philip
Danny Philip
Danny Philip is a politician and diplomat from the Solomon Islands. He is the current Prime Minister, who came into office after the 2010 general election. He served as foreign minister from 1995 to 1996 and from July 2000 to June 2001...
. This camp is based at the Pacific Casino Hotel.
A third camp is led by the newly-established Independent Democratic Party (IDP), led by Snyder Rini and is based at Honiara Hotel. The IDP's party secretary Leonard Kaitu'u explained that the IDP was the successor to a previous party, the Association of Independent Members. Kaitu'u has suggested that their camp will also get support from the People's Alliance Party (PAP) and the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA). However, it is not clear whether the PAP won any seats in the new parliament and it is possible that SIPRA will decide to join with the Heritage Hotel camp. A spokesman for the group denied that cash incentives were being used to secure members for the coalition.
Results
The event was overseen by international election observers connected with the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
International Election Observation Coordination Team. The elections were described as peaceful, although strong concerns were expressed about voter registration
Voter registration
Voter registration is the requirement in some democracies for citizens and residents to check in with some central registry specifically for the purpose of being allowed to vote in elections. An effort to get people to register is known as a voter registration drive.-Centralized/compulsory vs...
irregularities.
25 incumbents were returned and 25 were replaced (including three seats where the incumbent chose not to recontest and one seat that was vacant due to the death of Edward Huni'ehu). Of the 50 MPs, most are relatively inexperienced: 45 have served less than two terms in office. The five long-serving MPs are Job Dudley Tausinga (entering his 7th consecutive term), Danny Philip (5th term), Snyder Rini (4th term), Manasseh Sogavare (4th term) and Gordon Darcy Lilo (3rd term).
| Constituency | Member | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Choiseul Province | ||
| South Choiseul | Elijah Doro Muala | SINP/SIPRA? |
| North West Choiseul | Connelly Sadakabatu | SIDP |
| East Choiseul | Manasseh Sogavare Manasseh Sogavare Manasseh Damukana Sogavare was the sixth Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2006 to 2007. He has served in the National Parliament as Member for East Choiseul since 1997, and he is currently the Leader of the Opposition.-Biography:Sogavare was Permanent... * |
OUR |
| Western Province | ||
| Shortlands | Steve Laore | Ind. |
| North Vella La Vella | Milner Tozaka* | Ind. |
| South Vella La Vella | Lionel Alex | Ind. |
| Rannogga/Simbo | Charles Sigoto | RDP |
| Gizo/Kolombangara | Gordon Darcy Lilo* | SIPRA |
| West New Georgia - Vona Vona | Silas Tausinga | SIPRA |
| North New Georgia | Job Dudley Tausinga* | SIPRA |
| South New Georgia R&T | Danny Philip Danny Philip Danny Philip is a politician and diplomat from the Solomon Islands. He is the current Prime Minister, who came into office after the 2010 general election. He served as foreign minister from 1995 to 1996 and from July 2000 to June 2001... * |
RDP |
| Marovo | Snyder Rini* | IDP |
| Isabel Province | ||
| Hograno/Kia/Havulei | Selwyn Riumana* | Ind. |
| Maringe/Kokota | Varian Lomanei* | IDP |
| Gao/Bugotu | Samuel Manetoali* | RUPP |
| Malaita Province | ||
| North Malaita | Jimmy Lusibaea Jimmy Lusibaea Jimmy Lusibaea , also known as Jimmy "Rasta", is a Solomon Islands politician.He became involved in the severe ethnic conflicts on Guadalcanal and Malaita in the early 2000s... |
Ind. |
| Lau Mbaelalea | Walter Folotalu* | SIDP |
| Baegu/Asifola | Toswell Kaua* | Ind. |
| Fataleka | Steve Abana Steve Abana Steve William Abana is a Solomon Islands politician. He is currently Member of Parliament for Fataleka, and was the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition from August 2010 to March 2011.... * |
SIDP |
| West Kwara'ae | Shemuel Sam Iduri* | SIDP |
| Central Kwara'ae | Fiulaua Jackson | Ind. |
| East Malaita | Manasseh Maelanga* | SIDP |
| Aoke/Langalanga | Matthew Wale* | SIDP |
| East Kwaio | Stanley Festus Sofu* | SIDP |
| West Kwaio | Peter Tom* | SIDP |
| East Are Are | Andrew Hanaria | Ind. |
| West Are Are | John Maneniaru | Ind. |
| Small Malaita | Rick Houenipwela | SIDP |
| Malaita Outer Islands | Martin Kialoe | SIDP |
| Central Province | ||
| Ngella | Mark Kemakeza* | Ind. |
| Russells and Savo | Dickson Mua Panakitasi | OUR |
| Rennell and Bellona | ||
| Rennell-Bellona | Seth Gukuna* | PCP |
| Guadalcanal Province | ||
| North West Guadalcanal | Horst Heinz Bodo Dettke | Ind. |
| West Guadalcanal | Moses Garu | SIDP |
| South Guadalcanal | David Dei Pacha* | SIDP |
| East Guadalcanal | Bradley Tovosia | Ind. |
| East Central Guadalcanal | Joseph Onika | OUR |
| North East Guadalcanal | Derek Sikua Derek Sikua David Derek Sikua served as the ninth Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from December 20, 2007 to August 25, 2010. He is a member of the Solomon Islands Liberal Party.-Career:Sikua is from Ngalitavethi Village in Guadalcanal Province... * |
SILP |
| North Guadalcanal | Martin Sopaghe* | Ind. |
| Central Guadalcanal | Peter Shanel | OUR |
| Honiara City | ||
| East Honiara | Douglas Ete | DDP/RDP |
| Central Honiara | John Moffat Fugui | DDP |
| West Honiara | Namson Tran | Ind. |
| Makira Province | ||
| West Makira | Dick Ha'amori | DDP |
| Central Makira | Hypolite Taremae | Ind. |
| East Makira | Alfred Ghiro | SIDP |
| Ulawa/Ugi | James Tora* | SIDP |
| Temotu Province | ||
| Temotu Pele | Martin Magga* | Ind. |
| Temotu Nende | Cummins Mewa | Ind. |
| Temotu Vatud | Clay Forau Soalaoi* | PFP |
OUR = Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) Party, SIDP = SI Democratic Party, RDP = Reform Democratic Party, SIPRA = SI Party for Rural Advancement, SINP = SI National Party, DDP = Direct Development Party, RUPP = Rural and Urban Development Party, IDP = Independent Democratic Party, SILP = SI Liberal Party, PCP = People's Congress Party, PFP = People's Federation Party, Ind. = independent (or affiliation unknown)
*Note that returning MPs are marked with an asterisk (*) and that party affiliations are based on the affiliations recorded by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and as reported in various news reports. In some cases, MPs have been assigned dual party affiliations where the available reporting is unclear.
Prime Minister
Danny Philip was narrowly elected the Prime Minister of the Solomon IslandsPrime Minister of the Solomon Islands
The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands' head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National Parliament. Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm. Since August 2010, the Prime Minister has been Danny Philip of the Reform...
on 24 August 2010, with 26 votes compared with 23 for his rival, the SIDP's Steve Abana
Steve Abana
Steve William Abana is a Solomon Islands politician. He is currently Member of Parliament for Fataleka, and was the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition from August 2010 to March 2011....
.
In a victory speech following the Prime Ministerial election, Philip stated that his first priority would be to form a new government. He said his government would actively support the country's Constitutional Reform process. This had been one of his central campaign pledges, and the reason why he had formed the Reform Democratic Party.
Upon naming his Cabinet, he appointed Manasseh Maelanga
Manasseh Maelanga
Manasseh Maelanga is a member of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands. He represents a constituency from Malaita Province....
as his deputy
Deputy Prime Minister
A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some counties, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, but is significantly different, though both...
.
External links
- List of candidates – Solomon Times