Election in Solomon Islands could determine China's grip in South Pacific amid concerns over vote-buying and potential unrest.
Sogavare earlier delayed the 2024 election, citing financial constraints due to the concurrent hosting of the regional Pacific Games. / Photo: AFP
There are also fears the electoral process could again ignite violence in a restive nation riven with inter-island and ethnic tensions, a perceived lack of sharing of resources, widespread poverty and high youth unemployment.Voters from 700,000 people spread over the more than 900 islands that comprise the Solomon Islands will elect 50 lawmakers from 334 candidates. Only 21 candidates are women, and none of them are currently in office.
After the election, lawmakers form camps around hotels in the capital Honiara where horse trading takes place to persuade a majority to back various candidates for prime minister. Riots following the 2006 election, which were fueled by allegations of Chinese interference and resentment against Chinese business people, led to Prime Minister Snyder Rini’s resignation after a week in office and Sogavare’s second 18-month stint as government leader.
While the agreed-upon document has not been made public, a leaked draft would involve China in maintaining civic order through the deployment of “armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces.”
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