The Solomon Islands planning minister Fred Fono says before the date of the general election is announced, police should screen candidates for any criminal offences.
Mr Fono has told the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation that candidates should be cleared of allegations before the election.
He says it would be expensive to hold a by-election if a winning candidate was charged with a criminal offence.
Mr Fono says there are some serious allegations against some MPs, and the police and the courts should clear, or charge those people.
