MEMBERS of Parliament have completed a two-day dialogue on electoral systems that could be adopted in Solomon Islands.
Closing the dialogue, Prime Minster Manasseh Sogavare said that the meeting gave MPs an opportunity to discuss the complex issue of the voting system in detail.
“Parliament is a very formal setting, so we decided to have a more informal meeting that will allow MPs to find out more about the different election systems that are in use around the world,” he said.
“What should come out of this meeting is some advice as to the election systems that best suit our context, so that we have something that we can share with the people,” Mr Sogavare added.
On day two of the dialogue, MPs were asked to rank the criteria for determining a system of election in order of priorities from 10 (highest) to 1 (lowest priority).
“Having assessed our priorities, we need to find what election system will fit these priorities,” the Prime Minister said.
“It is critical that we find something that is good for us. We must carefully consider which systems fit our Solomon Islands context and then clearly explain the reasons that these systems are recommended.”
During the dialogue, MPs also discussed, anti-defection measures and women’s political participation, looking at examples of how various electoral systems can influence the number of women that are elected.
By the end of their dialogue, there was appreciation by MPs that no one system of election will be capable of embracing all the criteria and policy goals desired by our people and public Leaders.
Leaders agreed that there will have to be comprises made by Parliament and the Executive Government in the best interest of the country.
The findings of the dialogue will now be collated into a report that will inform the nation-wide consultations focusing on few systems of election possible to be adopted in Solomon Islands.
The views of the people will then be consolidated into a final report that will also provide a firm recommendation on the new system of election to be adopted. The report will be tabled in Parliament.
“It is something that we will continue to think about, our office will be taking these issues to the people,” Mr Sogavare said.
“We need to make a decision that is good for this country.”
The Taskforce on Electoral Reform will commence a second dialogue tomorrow for representatives of political parties which will again be assisted by renowned international elections experts Mr. Andrew Ellis and Mr. Carlos Valenzuela.
UNDP’s Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in Solomon Islands Project, the Australian Government and the European Union are supporting the dialogues.
