Ian Kaukui
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) said the country’s election process is conducted fairly under the law and is not corrupt.
Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Highwood Anisi made the statement following the recent Corruption Perception Index report launched by Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI), which claimed corruption has infected the country\’s electoral process.
Speaking exclusively to SIBC News, Mr Anisi said that TSI should distinguish between the election process itself and the broader political environment in which elections take place.
Mr. Anisi said from the electoral management perspective, the electoral process refers to the specific legal mandates it has and that includes from the registration of voters, nomination of candidates, casting of votes during polling day, counting of ballot papers and then the declaration of the results.
“To us that is the electoral process, vote buying, issue of constituency development funds including campaign financing, those things they are in a broader political environment where the election is also part of,” he said.
Mr. Anisi said the SIEC acknowledged TSI for the report, however the words used to say corruption has infected the election process is not appropriate.
He said the SIEC is committed to conduct free and fair elections, transparency and accountability and in accordance with the law.
The Electoral Officer that the Electoral Integrity Global Report 2024 ranked Solomon Islands third in the region — behind Australia and New Zealand.
“The Electoral Integrity Global Report 2024 clearly shows Solomon Islands ranked third in the region — behind Australia and New Zealand, meaning our standard of doing election is above most of other pacific countries,” he said.
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