WEDNESDAY November 19th is the date Solomon Islands will go to the polls for its historical national general elections it was reported.
A very reliable source confirmed to this paper it is most likely the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui will make the announcement on the 7th of October or a day after.
According to the source, he said since political parties contesting the national general election will not get their certificates until October 7th, it would be unconstitutional under the newly passed Political Parties Integrity Bill to make the announcement before that date.
“So it is very likely, the Governor General will make the announcement of the election date in the evening of October 7th or on October 8th. Having this announcement made, it will therefore points to the 42 days given under the Electoral Act for the process and preparation for intending candidates and parties to prepare before election day which is most likely on November 19th which falls on a Wednesday,” the source revealed.
In the country’s election history it has pointed to having its election day falling on a Wednesday.
“For this reason which has not been changed over the years will surely be the case for this year’s election which falls on a Wednesday November 19th,” the source added.
The source further stressed that it would be better to have the elections earlier than that date but due to the new Political Parties Integrity Bill which was passed in parliament recently, it has allowed parties to be registered and awarded their certificates before any announcement is made.
Adding it would be unconstitutional for the announcement to be made earlier than that if political parties were not registered and issued with certificates.
“Although this falls within the time frame, it would need the new government to really pull up its socks and put things in order before the end of December,” the source said.
The source said it is quite crucial that the new government must pass the resolution by 31st December or it will carry forward to April next year to pass the budget which is not what the country is expecting since it will hit hard on the economic performance of the country more so on the governments provision of social services.
Meanwhile the country has been anxiously waiting to hear from the Governor General to announce the election date.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA
