Tran resolves election campaign character assassination dispute with rival candidate Mamae through compensation and apology, police encourage peaceful campaigns during reconciliation
THE immediate former Member of Parliament for West Honiara, Namson Tran, has resolved a dispute with his rival candidate Wilson Mamae by paying $3000 and offering one shell money to him at the Central Police station on Monday.
This resolution came after supporters of Mamae, who is contesting against Tran for the West Honiara Constituency Seat in the National General Election on April 17, demanded compensation for perceived character assassination.
The disagreement originated from the Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE) campaign at White River Community High School Hall on Sunday 25 March.
Mr Mamae is a member of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) led by the immediate former MP for Aoke-Langalanga and Opposition Leader Mathew Wale. SIDP is one of the three coalition partners in CARE. The other two are the Democratic Alliance Party led by the immediate former MP for Small Malaita Rick Hou and Umi for Change Party (U4C) led by Daniel Suidani, former Malaita Premier.
During the campaign, Mr Wale criticized Tran’s leadership over the past four years in West Honiara, accusing him of lacking contributions to Parliament debates.
On Monday 26 March at the White River field, Mr Tran retaliated by accusing Mr Wale and Mr Mamae of tarnishing his image.
This prompted Mr Mamae’s supporters to demand compensation from Mr Tran for what they perceived as character assassination. They asserted that campaigns should rater focus on policies.
One of Mamae’s supporters, Allan Siau emphasized the need for maturity among leaders during campaigning so as to set a good precedent for candidates to refrain from character assassination and focus solely on policies.
Similarly, a supporter of Mr Tran mentioned that both parties had agreed to cease character attacks and engage in clean campaigns.
During the reconciliation ceremony, the officer in charge at the Central Police Station urged candidates and their supporters to show mutual respect and emphasized the consequences, including possible arrests, for those who continued to disrespect opponents.
The police chief, in turn, encouraged election candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns, uphold the rule of law and prioritize advocating their manifestos over personal attacks. This message was extended to all political parties, candidates, and supporters during the campaign period leading up to the elections.
Representatives of Mr Tran’s group and that of Mr Mamae expressed mutual acceptance of apologies and pledged to respect one another and abide by the rule of law.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
