Transparency Solomon Islands congratulates the newly elected Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele for his election as Solomon Islands Prime Minister in the 12th Parliament. With his vast experience in the public sector and understanding of the Machinery of the Government, you have the knowledge, the experience to bring about real change and significant shift in Solomon Islands political landscape and leadership. The hope of the nation is in your hands. Your inaugural speech is refreshing for the start of the country’s 12th Parliament.
From his inaugural speech here is a representative of the people that has a heart for Solomon Islands, people, and their resources. Thank you Isabel for giving us a son that has finally said the words that citizens have been longing to hear for a long time now for the first time with genuine humility and humbleness. The road ahead will be tough where your Executive Government needs to walk the talk. You are at the helm of the Political Leadership of Solomon Islands, Transparency Solomon Islands prays that those supporting you will be inspired by you to serve the needs of this country and its people through you, discharging their duties diligently, with integrity, at all times putting the interest of our people and country above all other interests.
More specifically as the Minister empowered by the Anti-Corruption Act 2018, for the protection of Democracy through Good Governance, Transparency Solomon Islands commends you for the content of your inaugural speech on the eve of your election as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. Through the turmoil and controversies of the last Executive Government you have maintained your public persona of a person of integrity doing what you can to the best of your knowledge and ability for the people of Hograno/Kia/Havulei constituency and at the national level. Let those characters guide you in your role as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, where you govern for all of us. Transparency Solomon Islands hopes that Prime Minister Manele inaugural speech will be the beacon that will inspire and motivate the CNUT led Executive Government coalition to do the same, “serve all Solomon Islanders, all provinces” paying special attention to gender equality, equity, social inclusion, people, and provinces with special needs.
Of particular importance is the credit the Prime Minister accords to the democratic processes and the people, acknowledging their role in electing their representatives and the importance of UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY. In this regard Transparency Solomon Islands re-iterates that protecting democracy through good governance has become very important. Whilst the elections were peaceful thanks in a large part to the visibility of police in all the constituencies, the number of election petitions filed tells a different story about this most recent democratic election process (Electoral Processes). The Integrity of Elections is very important to minimize the number of petitions. It is obvious that there is absolutely no Integrity at all in the most recent election and the ELECTORAL PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES.
The Integrity of Elections are based on the democratic principles of according to everyone of voting age every opportunity to exercise their democratic rights, that there is political equality, where all are equal in politics have been given the right to exercise their political power without fear and favour in a secure environment, that the Electoral Management Body (EMB) – Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) professionally, impartially and transparently manages and administers the preparation of Elections during the Electoral Cycle, and finally that SIEC (EMB) conducts Electoral awareness and processes that are professional, impartial, transparent throughout the electoral cycle period enhancing people’s ability to exercise their democratic rights come election time. None of these have been visible for quite a while and almost non-existence leading up to 2024 Joint Elections.
In the name of upholding, protecting democracy which can only be achieved through good governance and being accountable to your inaugural speech of UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY, Transparency Solomon Islands urges your government to adequately resource the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission starting now to carry out their mandate and for your government to amend the Constitution and bring in a new Electoral System to counter the influence of Constituency Development Fund and outside influencers who continue to provide untransparent financial support to candidates, and political parties. The Limited Preferential Voting System was passed previously but not implemented. It is time to consider this to grow your mantra of UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY and a semblance of Political Leadership Integrity that our country badly needs.
Congratulations Hon. Jeremiah Manele for your election as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. As per your speech the fundamental principle of Democracy is in giving politics back to the people and the nation.
– Transparency Solomon Islands
