4 Aug 2010

Polling stations to open soon in Solomon Islands for general election

7:01 am on 4 August 2010

Around 900 polling stations are due to open soon in the Solomon Islands national general election, so voters can choose their representatives for the next four years.

But the breakdown of a ship has forced the delay of the election in one area.

Jo O'Brien reports from Solomon Islands.

"The election date for Ontong Java in the Malaita outer islands constituency has been deferred until Monday after a ship broke down last week leaving the returning officer polling officials police and election material stranded in Honiara. The chair of the Solomon Islands electoral commission, Sir Peter Kenilorea says the deferment will only delay the counting of ballots in that constituency and should not slow down efforts to elect a prime minister. Sir Peter has also declared that people must only register where they ordinarily reside and that people must be allowed to vote where they are registered. That follows a High Court ruling on a huge increase in voter registration in the west honiara constituency. The electoral commission is appealing to the integrity of voters to not vote in a constituency if they have registered there for illegitimate or improper reason, SOC."