1 Apr 2009

Education Minister in Solomon Islands says voting system needs to change

9:22 am on 1 April 2009

The Education Minister in Solomon Islands says the country's voting system needs to change to reflect the local culture of choosing leaders.

Mathew Wale says the current First Past the Post system, which the country has used since independence has outlived its usefulness and needs to be changed.

A change to the voting system is among the list of recommendations made in the government's policy whitepaper on political reform, which is currently before parliament.

Mr Wale told Parliament his views on the issue.

"Our people will need to learn but I am confident in their ability and capacity to grasp the essence of such a system and will seek to participate to seek meaningfully in it."

The Solomon Islands Education Minister, Mathew Wale.