2017 Essay & Poster Competition on Women’s Leadership & Political Participation
November 30, 2017
Gizo Kolombangara by-election nomination deadline looms
April 18, 2018
His Excellency the Governor General Sir Frank Ofagiro Kabui has today officially proclaimed Wednesday, 23rd May 2018 as the date for the Gizo Kolombangara By-Election.
The people of Gizo Kolombangara Constituency in the Western Province have had no national parliamentary representative since November 30, 2017 when their elected member of parliament lost his seat in a successful election petition against his election to the 10th Parliament.
The Election Notice on the By-Election shall be published in each ward within the constituency as of tomorrow in accordance with section 25 of the Electoral Act.
The Office of Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) wishes also to advise intending candidates to contest the by-election that nomination will be open as from tomorrow April 11, 2018. The nomination period remains valid for 14 days and, therefore, will close on April 25, 2018 at 4pm. All contesting candidates must file their nomination with the Returning Officer no later than 4pm Wednesday, April 25.
Nomination forms can be collected from the Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission in Honiara or from the Returning Officer, Mr. Christian Siale, in Gizo.
SIEC encourages constituents and intending contestants to ensure nomination rules and legal requirements are upheld all the time.
SIEC Chief Electoral Officer Mose Saitala confirmed that a candidate must be nominated by three registered voters within the constituency and the completed/filled nomination form must be returned to the Returning Officer with a non-refundable nomination fee of $2,000, before 4pm, April 25, 2018. It is also a legal requirement that a candidate must be at least 21 years-old and a citizen of Solomon Islands.
Mr. Saitala confirmed that the Solomon Island Electoral Commission has made its decision few weeks ago that the by-election for Gizo-Kolombangara be held immediately. “The Commission decision paved the way for the Governor General’s decision today proclaiming Wednesday, 23rd May, as the polling day for the Gizo-Kolombangara by-election”, Mr. Saitala said.
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission would like to advise people from Gizo Kolombangara constituency, to be prepared to choose their representative and to listen to SIBC and Radio Happy Lagoon, as well as other media outlets for updates regarding important activities in the lead up to the By-Election.
