THE two provinces of Choiseul and Western will not join the synchronised National General Election until 2028.
The country will adopt the synchronised election system as of the next election in 2024.
The non-inclusion of Choiseul and Western provinces in the synchronised election system until 2028 was highlighted by the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), Rollen Seleso, in Parliament when highlighting issues catered for under the Provincial Amendment Bill 2023.
This was before Parliament further scrutinised the Bill at the Committee Stage on Wednesday.
This Bill also seeks to allow the other seven provincial governments – Guadalcanal, Isabel, Central Islands, Malaita, Makira-Ulawa, Renbel and Temotu – to join the first-ever synchronised National General Election next year.
The other objective of the Bill is deferring Choiseul and Western provinces from joining the synchronised election in 2024.
Minister Seleso said allowing the two provinces to join next year’s synchronised election is a denial of justice to the people of these two provinces as the life of their full assemblies will be cut short.
“Cutting their respective assembly around 15 months [in office] will not allow the flow of services to the two provinces.
“It will not bring justice to our good people of Choiseul and Western Provinces.”
Furthermore, Minister Seleso said the inclusion of Choiseul and Western provinces in next year’s synchronised election would cost the government money.
Solomon Star understands that should these two provinces be included in the 2024 synchronised National General Election, the government would have to compensate all their Provincial Assembly Members for the remaining unserved part of their four-year term.
The non-inclusion of these two provinces in the first synchronised election means their Members of Provincial Assembly will serve a six-year term. If it is not for the introduction of the synchronised election next year, the four-year term of the Members of Provincial Assembly of the two provinces should end in 2026. Choiseul and Western provinces held their last election in December 2022.
Minister Seleso also highlighted the Pacific Games later this year in Honiara and the 2024 synchronised National General Election as two major events that need a lot of financial commitment from the National Government.
Many MPs who contributed to the debate on the Bill expressed support for the amendments.
Both Choiseul and Western Provinces, during the consultation on the national electoral reforms with the National Government, have strongly urged that they join the synchronised election in 2028.
By MOFFAT MAMU
