More election results have come in overnight from Solomon Islands as counting enters its third and probably final full day.
The most dramatic result of yesterday's count was the historic unseating of caretaker Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, who lost to school teacher Jimson Fiau Tanangada in the Gizo Kolombangara constituency.
Our reporter in Honiara, Koroi Hawkins has been following results overnight and has the latest.
"There are mixed feelings across Solomon Islands as results for the nations 50 new MP's continue to come in from counting centres across the country. So far around 19 Mp's have been officially declared, among their number are 12 returning MPs 10 of whom held ministerial portfolios under the previous government. Of the seven new MPs the most surprising win came from the Western Province with caretaker Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo losing his seat to school teacher, Jimson Fiau Tanangada in the Gizo Kolombangara constituency. In terms of affiliation only seven of the 19 confirmed MP's ran under political parties and so far only four of the 12 parties in the country have fielded winning candidates. The People's Alliance Party, Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement and United Democratic Party each have 2 MPs and the Democratic Alliance Party has one. New political party legislation introduced this year prohibits Independents from forming government so a lot of shuffling between parties is expected in the days ahead. Counting enters its third and possibly final day today with only the most remote constituencies expected to take until later tonight or early Sunday morning."
Vote counting underway in Solomon Islands Photo: RNZI
