SIEC Warns Intending Candidates, Registrants

The Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission strongly warnsboth intending candidates and registrants to refrain from adversely influencing the registration process.

In a statement released today, SIEC said there have been reports of intending candidates or their agents facilitating the movement of people between constituencies to register (transfer) to a constituency in which they are not eligible to register in.

“It is one of the serious offences under the pdf Electoral Act 2018 (3.59 MB) to influence a voter.

“It can also be seen as engaging in campaign activity outside the campaign period.

“A person who engages in a campaign activity outside the campaign period for the election commits an offence that comes with a penalty of $20,000 or 2 years imprisonment, or both.”

SIEC strongly warned intending candidates to refrain from activities that may amount to campaigning.

The Commission also extended the strong warning to registrants that transferring registration details to a constituency one is not eligible to register and vote in, is also a serious offense under the Electoral Act.

“You could be making a false declaration. It is also providing misleading information to registration officials. Giving misleading information ora document containing misleading information to an election official comes with a penalty of $50,000 or 5 years imprisonment or both.”

The Commission has issued this warning before the commencement of the BVR update exercise early this month, and continues to urge people and intending candidates to do the right thing.

Meanwhile the SIEC said the Electoral Act 2018 has already come into force, however a number of sections will come into force at a later date.

SIEC reminded people who are yet to register to do so before September 27 when the BVR update is scheduled to end.