Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Art. 54 (1): For the purpose of the election of members of Parliament, Solomon Islands shall
be divided into such number of constituencies, being not less than fifty and not
more than seventy, and each constituency shall have such boundaries.
Source: Constitution of 1978, Amended 2014 and 2018 Art. 54 (1).
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/02/28
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population f . Communities of interest/cultural concerns g . Other
Comments: Art. 54 (3): In making recommendations under the preceding subsection, the Constituency Boundaries Commission shall have regard to the principle that the number of inhabitants of each constituency shall be as nearly equal as is reasonably practicable: Provided that the Commission may depart from the foregoing principle to the extent as they consider expedient in order to take account of the distribution of the population, the means of communication, and ethnic affiliations.
Source: Constitution of 1978, Amended 2014 and 2018 Art. 54 (3).
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/02/28
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
d . Boundary Commission
Comments: Art. 54 (1):For the purpose of the election of members of Parliament, Solomon Islands shall be divided into such number of constituencies, being not less than fifty and not more than seventy, and each constituency shall have such boundaries, as may be prescribed by Parliament by resolution on a recommendation of the Constituency Boundaries Commission in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.
Art. 54 (4)Parliament may, by resolution, approve or reject the recommendations of the Constituency Boundaries Commission but may not vary them; and, if so approved the recommendations shall have effect as from the next dissolution of Parliament.
Source: Constitution of 1978, Amended 2014 and 2018 Art. 54 (1,4).
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/02/28
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
f . Inherited monarchy with a Governor appointed by the Monarch
Comments: Art. 1(2): Her Majesty shall be the Head of State of Solomon Islands.
Art. 27(1) There shall be a Governor-General of Solomon Islands who shall be appointed by the Head of State in accordance with an address from Parliament and who shall be the representative of the Head of State in Solomon Islands.
Source: Constitution of 1978, Amended 2014: Art. 1 (2) and 27 (1).
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/02/28
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
c . Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: Art. 33 (1): There shall be a Prime Minister who shall be elected as such by the members of Parliament from among their number in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2 to this Constitution
Source: Constitution of 1978, Amended 2014: Art. 33 (1).
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/02/28
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978, Amended 2014: Art. 1 (2) and 27 (1).
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/02/28
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: Art. 46: There shall be a national legislature for Solomon Islands, which shall consist of a single chamber and shall be known as the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.
Source: Constitution of 1978, Amended 2014: Art. 46.
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/02/28
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: The 50 Members of the Parliament are elected from single-member constituencies by First-Past-The-Post system.
Constitution Art 47 (2): Each of the constituencies prescribed under Section 54(1) of this Constitution shall return one member of Parliament.
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act, Art 55 (1): When the result of the election has been ascertained, the Returning Officer shall forthwith declare to be elected the candidate for whom the majority of votes has been cast, and
such declaration shall be made in the following terms— "I hereby declare that is elected".
Source: Constitution of 1978, Amended 2014: Art. 46.
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), sec. 55: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view
Verified: 2019/02/28
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version),http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view
Political party Integrity Act (2014), http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view
Verified: 2019/02/28
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments:
Source: Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version),http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view
Political party Integrity Act (2014), http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view
Verified: 2019/02/28
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: Constitution, Art. 56 (1):Any person who is registered as an elector in any constituency shall be entitled
to vote in such manner as may be prescribed at any election for that
constituency unless..
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act: Art. 7 (1): No person shall vote at an election unless he is entitled to do so by section 56 of the Constitution.
Constitution.
Source: Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version),http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view
Verified: 2019/02/28
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary
Comments: Art. 52 (1a) : The High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any question whether any person has been validly elected as a member of Parliament.
Source: Constitution of 1978, amended 2014, Art. 52 (1-a).
Constitution (2014): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Amendment 2018: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), sec. 82-83: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2014).
Verified: 2019/02/28
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level c . Local level
Comments: Constitution, Art. 58 (1), : The Electoral Commission shall have general responsibility for, and shall supervise, the registration of electors for the election of members of Parliament and the conduct of elections of such members and the Commission shall have such powers and other functions relating to such registration and such elections as may be prescribed.
Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections (1997): Art, 73 (National Elections), Art. 234 (Local Government elections).
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2014, art 58, https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections (1997), Part 5 , Section 73 (National Elections), Part 14, Section 234 (Local Government elections).
Verified: 2019/03/01
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: Report of CW, Page 8: The Commission’s budget is drawn from the Consolidated Fund.
Constitution, Art. 100 (1): All revenues or other moneys raised or received by or for the purposes of the Government (not being revenues or other moneys that are payable by or under any law into some other fund established for any specific purpose or that may, by or under any law, be retained by the authority that received them for the purpose of defraying the expenses of that authority) shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Fund.
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2014, Art. 100, https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group on Solomon Islands' National Parliamentary Elections of 4 August 2010, p. 8: http://bit.ly/1uI4Ja7 (2014).
Verified: 2019/03/01
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: Constitution, Art 101 (1),: No money shall be issued from the Consolidated Fund except upon the authority of a warrant under the hand of the Minister of Finance.
Report CW: p.8.: The release of funds for the Commission’s programs is controlled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2014, Art. 100, https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group on Solomon Islands' National Parliamentary Elections of 4 August 2010, p. 8: http://bit.ly/1uI4Ja7 (2014).
Verified: 2019/03/01
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: Art. 57 (3): Subject to the provision of the next following subsection, an appointed member of the Commission shall vacate his Office—
a. at the expiration of the period specified in the instrument by which he was
appointed; or
b. if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the Commission,
would cause him to be disqualified from appointment as such.
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2014, Art. 57 (3), https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Verified: 2019/03/01
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments: About Electoral Commission Brochure: The Electoral Commission is an independent body established under the Solomon Islands Constitution.
Source: Official Website of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission: http://www.siec.gov.sb/index.php/voter-education/about-us.html (2019)
About the electoral commission brochure (2019): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-about-the-electoral-commission/view
Verified: 2019/03/01
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The Electoral Commission comprises:
a) a Chairperson and
b) two other members and
c) Chief Electoral Officer appointed under sec 57 A (amended 2018)
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2014, Art. 57 (2), https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Constitution amended 2018: Art. 57A: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/03/01
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
c . Combination of partisanship and expertise
Comments: Art, 57 (6): Only the following persons are qualified to be appointed as appointed members of the Commission:
(a) a former Governor-General;
(b) a former Speaker;
(c) a retired judge;
(d) a former Member of Parliament
(e) a current or retired head of any religious organisation or of any civil society organisation
(f) a person who has held a distinguished career in the government or private sector
(g) a public officer of the permanent secretary level.
Art. 57 (7): The following persons are not qualified to be appointed as appointed members of the Commission:
(a) a member of or a candidate for election to:
(i) Parliament; or
(ii) a Provincial Assembly; or
(iii) the Honiara City Council; or
(b) a person who is a member of a political party registered under a law relating to political parties.
This article was modified in the constitutional amendment 2018.
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2014, Art. 57, https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Constitution amended 2018: Art. 57 (6,7): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/03/01
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
e . Legislature i . Other
Comments: The Chairperson of the Commission is the Speaker of Parliament, who is elected by each incoming Parliament.
The two other members as well as the Chief Electoral Officer (new position since 2018) are appointed by the Governor General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.
Art. 57 (5): At least one member of the Commission must be a woman. (added 2018)
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2018:
Art. 57 (3): The Governor-General may, acting on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, appoint the members mentioned in subsection (2)(a) and (b) (the "appointed members").
Art. 57A (3): The Governor-General may, acting on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, appoint a suitably qualified and experienced person as the Chief Electoral Officer.
Art. 57 (5): At least one member of the Commission must be a woman. (added 2018)
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-constitution-amendment-2018
Verified: 2019/03/01
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body g . NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Comments: Raising voter awareness of the electoral process is a key concern of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC).
Source: Official Website of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission: http://www.siec.gov.sb/index.php/voter-education.html (2019).
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group on Solomon Islands' National Parliamentary Elections of 4 August 2010, p. 13: http://bit.ly/1uI4Ja7 (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission: http://www.siec.gov.sb/index.php/voter-education.html (2019).
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group on Solomon Islands' National Parliamentary Elections of 4 August 2010, p. 13: http://bit.ly/1uI4Ja7 (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body h . Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission: http://www.siec.gov.sb/index.php/voter-education.html (2019).
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group on Solomon Islands' National Parliamentary Elections of 4 August 2010, p. 13: http://bit.ly/1uI4Ja7 (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: Art. 55 (1):
1. Subject to the provisions of this section, a person shall be entitled to be
registered as an elector if, and shall not be so entitled for registration unless—
a. he is a citizen of Solomon Islands; and
b. he has attained the age of eighteen years.
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2014, Art. 55 (1), https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en
Verified: 2019/03/01
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence
Comments: Art. 55 (1):
1. Subject to the provisions of this section, a person shall be entitled to be
registered as an elector if, and shall not be so entitled for registration unless—
a. he is a citizen of Solomon Islands; and
b. he has attained the age of eighteen years.
Art. 55 (2):
2. No person shall be entitled to be registered as an elector—
a. in more than one constituency; or
b. in any constituency in which he is not ordinarily resident.
Source: Constitution of 1978, Art. 55 (1, 2): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.
Verified: 2019/03/01
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Constitution Art. 58 (1): The Electoral Commission shall have general responsibility for, and shall supervise, the registration of electors for the election of members of Parliament and the conduct of elections of such members and the Commission shall have such powers and other functions relating to such registration and such elections as may be prescribed.
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), Art. 6 (3): The Commission is responsible for the registration of electors for the election of members of Parliament.
Source: Constitution of 1978, Art. 58 (1): https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en (2019).
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), Art. 6 (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Art. 55 (1): Subject to the provisions of this section, a person shall be entitled to be registered as an elector.
Source: Constitution of 1978, Art. 55 (1), https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en (2019.)
Verified: 2019/03/01
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Deposit requirement (specify amount) f . Other
Comments: Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 19: An application for registration of a political party shall be made to the Registrar of political parties and be accompanied by the prescribed fee. The application must also contain a Schedule of Member with no less than 250 members of the political party, all of whom must be registered as voters.
Source: Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 19: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship
Comments: Art. 48: Subject to the provisions of the next following section, a person shall be qualified for election as a member of Parliament if, and shall not be so qualified unless—
a. he is a citizen of Solomon Islands; and
b. he has attained the age of twenty-one years.
Source: Constitution of 1978 amended 2014, Art. 48: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014?lang=en (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), Art. 26 (1): Any person submitting himself for election, hereinafter referred to as a candidate, shall be nominated in writing by three electors ordinarily resident in the constituency for which he is a candidate and the persons making the nomination.
Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 45(4) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a person may stand as an independent candidate, if he or she is duly nominated as such in accordance with the provisions of the National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (Cap. 87).
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), sec. 26 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2014).
Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 45 (4):http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct
Comments: Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 58 (l): A political party that contests an election is entitled to Entitlements claim from the Commission, after all its members have taken their oaths on parties of political the floor of Parliament, one or both of the following —
(a) a temporary special measures grant of $10,000 payable annually for every woman elected into Parliament; and
(b) an administration grant of $20,000 for each Member of Parliament of the political party, payable annually to the
political party after submission of its annual financial report under section 61.
Source: Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 58 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
c . Based on current legislative representation e . Other
Comments: Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 58 (l): A political party that contests an election is entitled to Entitlements claim from the Commission, after all its members have taken their oaths on parties of political the floor of Parliament, one or both of the following —
(a) a temporary special measures grant of $10,000 payable annually for every woman elected into Parliament; and
(b) an administration grant of $20,000 for each Member of Parliament of the political party, payable annually to the
political party after submission of its annual financial report under section 61.
Source: Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 58 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 59 (1): A political party shall, within 90 days after the close of the polling in an election, lodge with the Commission in the prescribed form a financial statement of donations received, including their sources, and election expenses.
Source: Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014, Art. 59: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
c . Special counting centres
Comments: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), Art.43 (1): As soon as practicable after the termination of the voting the presiding officer shall in the presence of the polling agents, make up into separate packets, each sealed with his own seal ...
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version),Art. 46 (1): The counting of votes shall commence, so far as is practicable, on such day and on such hours in that day as may be specified by the Commission.
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), sec. 43, 46: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
c . Automatically (triggered) recounted under certain conditions
Comments: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), Art. 56: When an equality of votes is found to exist between any candidates so that the addition of a vote would entitle any of them to be declared elected, the Returning Officer shall make a recount of the votes cast. If there is again an equality of votes, as ascertained by such recount, the Returning Officer shall report the fact to the Governor-General who shall order that another election shall be held for that electoral constituency on such day as he shall, in his discretion, determine.
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), sec. 56: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
i . Not applicable
Comments: No free broadcast time or free printed advertisement are allocated to political parties.
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group 2014, p.14: The Group was informed that the SIBC was not required to allocate free airtime to candidates. Further the Group recommended provision be made for free and equal campaign-related access to public broadcasters for all candidates.
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view (2019).
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group, 2014 p. 14, http://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/news-items/documents/2014%20Solomon%20Islands%20COG%20Report%20-%20FINAL.pdf
Verified: 2019/03/01
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments:
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2014).
Verified: 2019/03/01
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments:
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There are no specific legal provisions in this regard.
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2014).
Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en(2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.(2019)
Verified: 2019/03/01
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.(2019)
Verified: 2019/03/01
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.(2019)
Verified: 2019/03/01
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.(2019)
Verified: 2019/03/01
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.(2019)
Verified: 2019/03/01
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.(2019)
Verified: 2019/03/01
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.(2019)
Verified: 2019/03/01
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 1978,amended 2014: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Solomon_Islands_2014.pdf?lang=en.(2019)
Verified: 2019/03/01
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections i . By tendered ballot
Comments: Art. 34 (1) (a): The Returning Officer shall— (a) provide a sufficient number of polling stations in the electoral constituency and, in accordance with the terms of any notice given under section 33 allot the electors within the
electoral constituency to the polling stations in such manner as seems to him most convenient;
Art. 39 (1): No person shall be permitted to vote at any polling station other than the one allotted to
him under the provisions of section 34(a).
Art. 41: Tendered ballot: If a person representing himself to be an elector named in the register of electors applies for a ballot paper after another person has voted as such elector, the applicant shall, upon giving satisfactory answers to the questions set out in section 38(c), be entitled to receive a ballot paper in the same manner as any other elector but such ballot paper, hereinafter called a tendered ballot paper, shall be of a colour different from the ordinary ballot papers and instead of being put into the ballot box, shall be given to the presiding officer and endorsed by him with the name of the elector and his number in the register of electors;
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version),Art. 34 (1)(a), 39 (1), 41: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
a . Outside the country voting is not permitted
Comments: None of the relevant articles include OCV:
Art. 34 (1) (a): The Returning Officer shall— (a) provide a sufficient number of polling stations in the electoral constituency and, in accordance with the terms of any notice given under section 33 allot the electors within the
electoral constituency to the polling stations in such manner as seems to him most convenient;
Art. 39 (1): No person shall be permitted to vote at any polling station other than the one allotted to
him under the provisions of section 34(a).
Art. 41: Tendered ballot: If a person representing himself to be an elector named in the register of electors applies for a ballot paper after another person has voted as such elector, the applicant shall, upon giving satisfactory answers to the questions set out in section 38(c), be entitled to receive a ballot paper in the same manner as any other elector but such ballot paper, hereinafter called a tendered ballot paper, shall be of a colour different from the ordinary ballot papers and instead of being put into the ballot box, shall be given to the presiding officer and endorsed by him with the name of the elector and his number in the register of electors;
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), Art. 34 (1)(a), 39 (1), 41: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: same as above
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), sec. 34 (1)(a), 39 (1), 41: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: Art. 38 (d) an elector on receiving a ballot paper, shall go immediately into a voting compartment in the polling station, and shall then there secretly record his vote by placing a mark in the box in the ballot paper corresponding to the candidate of his choice and insert the marked folded ballot paper into the ballot box prior to leaving the polling station. The ballot box shall be placed with the polling station in such manner as to be observed by polling officials;
Source: National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), Art. 38 (d): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Verified: 2019/03/01
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