PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has highlighted that growth of political parties in the country became visible since the enactment of the Political Parties Integrity Act of 2024.
PM Manele highlighted this in his keynote address at the International Day of Democracy celebration in Honiara on Tuesday 17th September.
The event was themed: “Celebrating 46 Years of Democracy: For the People, By the People.”
He said the growth of political parties became visible since the enactment of the Political Parties Integrity Act and as the Parliamentary Wing Leader of OUR Party he is encouraged by this development.
PM Manele said he understands the challenges that political parties face, especially with finance, but as Solomon Islands is a young democracy, such challenges are expected.
He added that it is how these challenges are overcome is what is important.
“I believe that if we are committed to making sacrifices to grow political parties, we can overcome these challenges.
“We are very lucky because political parties are able to freely participate in our electoral system and are free to share opinions and ideologies with citizens.
“This is because our Constitution provides for the freedom of association and expression – the two important rights and freedom for any democracy to thrive,” PM Manele added.
PM Manele also highlighted the importance of Free and Fair Elections.
“As a democratic country, we hold a national general election every four years and we recently went to the polls in April in this year to elect our Members of Parliament.”
“The principles of democracy are very crucial for a young democratic nation like Solomon Islands because it allows Citizens Participation.
“In Solomon Islands, which is a representative democracy, we the people vote for our leaders.
“We get to choose who our leaders should be and the people must have a free voice to express their opinions and desires.
“Citizen participation is the foundation that makes democracy strong. This means that people are given good and accurate information before voting, and that they are free to discuss and debate them.
“It also means that on Election Day, people have equal access to the polls. Women, elderly and those with special needs – everyone’s vote has the same value and that all votes are counted,” PM Manele said.
He highlighted that the recent National General Election was one of the most peaceful and successful one.
“Actually, one of the international election observers described it as a “festival of democracy,” PM Manele stressed.
He added that that the national Constitution and citizens of the nation are the bedrock of Solomon Islands democracy.
“We must continue to be firm in upholding our principles of democracy,” PM Manele reiterated.
By RAYMOND HULANGA
Solomon Star, Honiara
