THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) says it is functioning effectively and has rejected claims that ‘the country does not have an Electoral Commission’.
In yesterday’s Island Sun newspaper, freelance writer Alfred Sasako claimed that the timetable for the National Election is in doubt because there are ‘no Commissioners appointed’.
A claim the SIEC has rejected.
“It is completely incorrect to say that there are no Commissioners,” Chief Electoral Officer, Polycarp Haununu said.
“Emily Teaitala’s term does not expire until 2015, long after the last possible date for the election,” Mr Haununu said.
“The chairman’s term runs as long as he is Speaker of the Parliament.
“The Commission is functioningvery well. It meets regularly and has successfully overseen the roll-out of the first stage of the Biometric Voter Registration system,” Mr Haununu said.
“The Biometric system has successfully eliminated more than 100,000 false, fraudulent or incorrect registrations and is in the process of delivering Solomon Islands a clean list of voters for the upcoming election.”
Mr Haununu said there is one vacant spot on the Commission and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission is currently considering that appointment, ahead of a recommendation being sent to the Governor General.
However, the Commission is able to continue with two out of three Commissioners.
The SIEC reminds all media personnel that they can call the SIEC Communications team at any time to clarify issues, as is the established practice.
“The Commission is doing a great job with the new registration system and will continue to promote free, fair and credible elections for our country,” Mr Haununu said.
