WITH the official declaration of all 50 Members of Parliament (MPs)-elect of the 12th Parliament now over, intense lobbying is now underway ahead of Prime Minister’s Election in a fortnight.
According to the tentative schedule, all MPs-elect are expected to arrive in Honiara this week and will proceed with lobbying to form the next government.
But before a government is formed, the election of a new Prime Minister must proceed first, it was revealed.
A number of political parties have gone into camp in various locations in Honiara.
According to the schedule, lobbying is underway this week until early next week to get the right number to form the next government.
By next Tuesday30 April, nomination for the new Prime Minister’s post is scheduled to open.
This nomination period is expected to run for three days and will close on Friday afternoon, 3rd May
During this period lobbying is expected to continue to ensure parties that want to come together to form the government have the right number to do so.
The group with at least 26 MPs can qualify to form the next government.
By Wednesday 8 May, the election of the new Prime Minister is expected to proceed in the Parliament Chamber.
The Prime Minister-elect will then take his oath before the Governor General (GG) at the Government House soon after being elected.
As the country watches the newly elected leaders lobby to form the next government, the choice of the next prime minister will be very interesting, critics have commented.
As of this week the Ownership, United and Responsibility (OUR) Party led by Manasseh Sogavare is now in command of 15 members.
The CARE coalition agreement between Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) led by Mathew Wale and the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) led by Rick Houenipwela have 13 members. Eight (8) from SIDP, 4 from DAP and 1 from IUMI for Change Party.
Solomon Islands United Party (UP) has 7 members followed by Solomon Islands Peoples First Party (SIPFP) with 3 members and 1 each for Solomon Islands Kadere Party (SIKP) and Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA).
40 of the newly elected Members contested as party candidates, while 10 contested as independents.
These 40 MPs are the ones likely to make a difference when they join any of the two Parties with the highest numbers.
It has been in an intense week of campaigning and elections and people have spoken through their votes.
Now the power rests with the elected leaders to form the next government.
By MOFFAT MAMU
