11 Jan 2010

Problems funding Solomon Islands elections

1:51 pm on 11 January 2010

The Solomon Islands Chief Electoral Officer Polycap Haununu says financial problems have made it difficult to secure sufficient funds to organise this year's National Elections.

Mr Haununu says so far the commission has been given a fifth of the 1.5 million US dollars needed for the registration process for the elections, due to be held in the middle of the year.

He says the government will be committing 760,000 US dollars which will bring the commission half way in meeting its goal.

"We have a problem with cash-flow problem at the end of last year and that is why they didn't give us the total allocation for the registration."

Polycap Haununu says Treasury has assured the Commission it will continue to pour in money to meet its target.