CHIEF Electoral Officer (CEO) and Commissioner Jasper Highwood Anisi has assured that the votes counting process at all Polling Stations nationwide are steadily progressing though slow.
Mr Anisi made the assurance today as the counting process entered its third day.
“Today is third day of counting into votes. There are no major operational or administrative issues reported with most have been resolved.
“Again, there was calm and peace experienced in all counting centers across the country. For that the [Solomon Islands Electoral] Commission is grateful.
“So far counting though is slow but steadily progressing very well across the country. I would like to state that while we look forward to receiving the final results early, this must not be done at the expense of transparency, accuracy and without attention to details,” he emphasized.
Mr Anisi said Counting Officials are often reminded that that they are not in a race to complete the counting process.
“They are undertaking an important task which needs to adhere to the rules in order to ensure the integrity of the democratic process and to maintain public trust in the Joint Elections outcome,” he added.
Mr Anisi said counting continues today and more results are expected and will be announced life at about 10am, 3pm and 10pm till the counting process is completed.
“We will also come with press updates during the course of the counting process. Please also visit our website: siec.gov.sb where you can have links to the results that we have announced,” he added.
The CEO said as of last night, 13 declarations of Parliamentary Election results were made but they were yet to receive official results from two of the 13 constituencies.
He said elected candidates have been declared for all the four constituencies in Makira-Ulawa Province and all three constituencies of Choiseul.
Mr Anisi said there was one declaration in Malaita and three in Western Province in Western Province so far.
Overall, he said nationally as of Thursday 18 April, around 24 percent of the results were obtained for both provincial assemblies and parliamentary seats.
By DELI-SHARON OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
