Solomon Islands National Parliament will today elect the country's sixth Governor General.
Nine candidates, including the sitting Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, are contesting the position of head of state.
The other candidates are the Speaker, Sir Peter Kenilorea, and former MPs John Maetia, Alfred Maetia, Joses Tuhanuku and Edmund Andresen.
Others include Frank Kabui, a retired High Court Judge and Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, United Church Bishop Philemon Riti and John Tuhaika, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.
For the first time since independence from Britain in 1978, MPs will cast their vote according to their wishes and not along party political or government lines.
As the Head of State is rotated amongst the nine provinces, the MPs are expected to elect a candidate from the provinces of Malaita, Isabel or Rennell-Bellona or re-elect the current holder for another five year term.
