Officials say seven political parties have lodged applications to contest this year's elections in Solomon Islands.
The Registrar of the Political Parties Commission made the clarification after the caretaker Prime Minister had earlier stated that eight parties would contest the elections.
The registrar says the Commission is currently reviewing all the applications and documents to ensure compliance to the Political Parties Integrity Act.
He says the application deadline for all parties to lodge applications will close on the announcement of the polling day.
Radio New Zealand International's correspondent says he expects 16 political parties or groupings to eventually contest.
