Commission recognises SI People’s Democratic Coalition
THE Political Parties Commission (PPC) has advised elected members joining the Honiara Hotel camp to join Opposition, while recognising Solomon Islands People’s Democratic Coalition (SIPDC).
A reliable source said the advice was written on a letter served to each members of the other camp.
This came after the Commission has received the Coalition Agreement to form Government from SIPDC yesterday.
Registrar of Political Parties Commission, Calvin Ziru said the agreement was duly signed by Presidents and Secretaries for Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA), Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP) and the Peoples’ Alliance Party (PAP), who have the combined support of 30 Members of Parliament (MP).
Ziru said he is obliged to confirm the appointment of the Commission’s chairman, Sir Paul Tovua, with the Governor General today.
He said, after their audience before the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui, nomination for Prime Minister will open.
A political source believes the election of PM should take place not later than Friday this week.
Under the Political Parties Integrity Act subsection 54 (2), a political party intending to withdraw from, revoke or rescind an existing agreement coalition agreement must give at least 30 days’ notice to the other parties to the agreement.
This means if the election of PM happens this week, there is little time for any of the four parties to withdraw its membership in the Coalition.
The Solomon Star understands the parties’ leaders of SIPDC will meet today to reconfirm their stand in the Coalition.
In the meantime, lobbying is expected to intensify this week to win the loyalty of individual member to vote during the election of PM.
The question on every Solomon Islands’ lips is; how the members of SIPDC will remain faithful up until the election of the Prime Minister?
By EDDIE OSIFELO
