17 Oct 2005

Solomons MP says voters need education to halt corruption

2:27 pm on 17 October 2005

A Solomon Islands parliamentarian says foreign-funded voter education programmes appear to focus mainly on replacing current MPs.

Alfred Sasako has told the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation that replacing MPs is only a tiny part of the problem that voters have.

Mr Sasako says donors should help voters to understand that an MP is elected to govern rather than to provide sea fares or school fees.

He says much of the problems widely perceived as corruption among members of parliament is forced on them by voters.

Mr Sasako says educating voters to change their attitude is an area that donors ought to invest their money in, if they are serious about quality politicians.