25 Sep 2008

By-election results in Solomons now expected tonight

3:16 pm on 25 September 2008

Counting in two Solomon Islands' by-elections is continuing with results now expected late this afternoon.

A total of 43 independent candidates had stood in East Honiara and Lau-Baelelea on Malaita.

The Solomon Islands Acting Police Commissioner says police expect a formal complaint from the Electoral Commission against a candidate in East Honiara, George Manimu, who allegedly interferred with the vote count.

Peter Marshall says Mr Manimu had last night accused election officials and police of being corrupt, a claim which resulted in a suspension of the count and a change in venue for its resumption today.