VOTERS from various constituencies who left Honiara to their homes have flooded back into the city following the November 19 polls.
Since Thursday, ships have been loaded to capacity, bringing back voters from various constituencies mostly from Malaita, Guadalcanal, Isabel and Western provinces.
The elections, which were hailed peaceful and success, is currently in its counting process, with election results from some constituencies already declared.
Most of the vessels were believed to have been chartered by various candidates, some with more than one charter, carrying loads of their voters to and from the provinces.
Such (chartering of ships to carry voters to the provinces) has however raised eyebrows amongst many voters, especially as it is seen as exceeding the $50,000 limit for electoral expenses.
“What more can we do? The government, the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission did not at all provide ships for us the voters in the provinces.
“Therefore all we can do as jump the first available transport provided for by our various candidates,” Jack Ao, who recently arrived back from voting in Malaita, said.
Others said that their candidates paid their sea fares to travel home and vote.
“We the voters in the Western Province had to find first available transport to vote back in our constituencies.
“Our candidates paid for our sea fares, something the government or even the Electoral Commission could not do,” Mary Sau said.
“Even if these expenses to send us the voters home supersedes $50,000, what more can we say? It is the only means through which we can go home and cast our ballots.”
More ships are expected to be coming back to Honiara in the coming days.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
