HONIARA: Vote counting began on Thursday (April 18) in Solomon Islands’ parliamentary elections, the first since Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare struck a security deal with China in 2022 and brought the Pacific Island nation closer to Beijing.
In a late-night press conference on Wednesday, elections chief Jasper Highwood Anisi said vote counting would begin the next day, although it would probably take place as late as Saturday on one of the outer islands as ballot boxes are transported to provincial centers.
The results of this election will be closely watched by the United States, China and Australia due to its potential impact on US-China competition in the Pacific. Opposition parties say voters are focused on inadequate health services, education and roads.
Sogavare shifted diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing soon after becoming prime minister in 2019, and vowed to strengthen ties with China, which is building ports, roads and telecommunications networks in the Solomon Islands.
Opponents criticize security agreements with China, which has a police presence on the islands. Australia is traditionally the largest aid donor and security partner.
Prominent opposition figures include Matthew Wale, leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, which has formed a coalition with the Democratic Alliance Party, promising to improve education and improve hospitals that frequently run out of medicine. Wale became the first person to vote in the seven-phase election on Friday, but campaigning was held behind closed doors due to fears of violence.
Peter Kenilorea’s Unity Party aims to scrap China’s security pact and create more infrastructure partnerships with Western countries to reduce Beijing’s influence.
“My hope in this election is to see real change,” said Kerrie Jonisi, who voted in Honiara. Another voter, Dudley Akora, when asked about the security pact, which has not been made public, said he did not think the public knew what was in it. “I don’t think it’s very good,” he said.
Sogavare, who is running as leader of the Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party, called hosting the Pacific Games, with stadiums donated by China, a major achievement.
The Solomon Islands are home to only 700,000 people but occupy a strategic position 1,600 km (990 miles) northeast of Australia.
Sogavare has been prime minister four times, but never consecutively.
Chief Election Commissioner Madam Taeasi Sanga said at a press conference after polls closed on Wednesday that the process had been peaceful and successful and that police would help secure the vote count.
“Whoever wins, respect the voters’ decision,” he said.
The islands have a turbulent history, with anti-government riots in 2021 and inter-tribal violence before.
“Whether it benefits you or not, I emphasize that we maintain peace,” Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said.
Police and defense forces from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji assisted with election security and observer groups from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, Japan, Europe and the US monitored the election.
The 50 members of the national parliament are elected for a four-year term. The prime minister is chosen after voting day by a vote of newly elected members of parliament, a process that can take several weeks.
