17 Sep 2010

Record number of election petitions filed in Solomon Islands

3:16 pm on 17 September 2010

The Solomon Islands Electoral Office has confirmed 18 of 50 newly elected MPs are facing election petitions in the High Court, which is the highest number ever.

Among those challenged are a former prime minister Dr Derek Sikua and a former Central Bank governor, Rick Hou.

A former deputy prime minister, Fred Fono, who lost his seat after 12 years in parliament has filed a petition against Jackson Fiulaua and the Attorney General.

The Chief electoral officer Polycarp Haununu says the Electoral Office also faces two challenges.

"Most of this against the commission are filed because of the process was not done properly. They claim that the electors list was inconsistent."

Chief electoral officer Polycarp Haununu.