The Biometric Voter Registration process has raised confidence in the integrity of the electoral roll, according to the Commonwealth Observers team.
This was one of the points noted in the team’s interim report, released last Saturday.
The Commonwealth Observer team was led by respected statesman and former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Sir Mekere Morauta.
Members of the Group have been in the country since 9 November.
“We have been warmly welcomed by the people of Solomon Islands and have met with various groups,” Morauta said.
These include the Electoral Commission, Political Parties Commission, representatives of the political parties and independent candidates, civil society groups, women and youth groups, media, the Commissioner of Police, the leadership of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, and diplomats.
Morauta said group members were deployed to Western Province, Isabel, Central Province, Malaita, Guadalcanal and Honiara City.
“The Group has interacted with other regional and international observers during the polling and the ongoing count.
“Our final report will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary- General for transmission to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, the Government, and key stakeholders,” he said.
Here are the team’s initial observations:
- The people of the Solomon Islands are to be congratulated for turning out to vote on 19 November. The election process observed by the Group was conducted in a peaceful environment and voters appeared generally able to cast their votes freely on Election Day.
- The Biometric Voter Registration process has raised confidence in the integrity of the electoral roll. A credible voters’ register is a key foundation for conducting elections with integrity. However, there were reports that not all eligible citizens were able to register during the registration period.
- The Group warmly welcomes the call by some community leaders encouraging voters to engage in the process peacefully, and accept the results of the vote. These messages, together with the Government’s alcohol ban, went a long way to ensuring that both the vote and the count proceeded in a peaceful and calm environment.
- The Group was disappointed that, despite passage of the Political Parties Integrity Act and Solomon Islands’ ratification of international agreements encouraging greater participation of women in the electoral process, there remain significant impediments to women successfully standing for election.
- The Group was impressed by media freedom and the positive role the media played in raising awareness about the election.
- The Group observed that while voters generally understood the voting process, there were apparent misconceptions surrounding the secrecy of the ballot.
- The Group heard expressions of strong concern regarding the absence of out-of-constituency and pre-poll voting arrangements.
- The legal requirement to complete voting by 5pm caused issues at some polling stations. The Group observed that some polling stations had too many voters and/or too few staff to enable voting to be completed in the time allowed.
- The Group was of the view that polling officials generally displayed professionalism and integrity, and ensured the voting process was well organised and that voters were able to cast their votes in an orderly manner.
- The Group commends the dedication demonstrated by the counting officials and notes that the counting process is ongoing in a number of constituencies.
- However the Group did observe some variations in practices adopted by polling and counting officials.
- The Group recognised the significant logistical challenges faced by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission in organising and delivering election materials to all the polling stations. The SIEC is to be congratulated for preparing the country’s 2014 elections.
- Finally, we commend the role played by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, supported by the Participating Police Force, and the security arrangements that were put in place for the election.
The high visibility of RSIPF during polling day and the ongoing count gave confidence to the people to exercise fully their democratic rights in the country’s political process.
