Solomon Islands - April 2024

The Solomon Islands held a general election on 17 April in which incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s OUR Party secured a plurality with 15 of 50 seats in parliament. Sogavare announced during coalition-building negotiations that he would not seek another term and resign as the head of his party in favour of Jeremiah Manele, who then secured sufficient support from the 21 independent MPs to win the secret-ballot parliamentary nomination for prime minister on 2 May. While international observers focused on the role of China in the election -as Sogavare switched recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019 -, locally economic concerns were paramount. Zero women were elected to parliament, down from four in the previous sitting. Turnout was 82 per cent, up from 68 per cent in the 2019 elections. Elections were originally planned for 2023, but Sogavare had claimed that the country could not hold an election and host the Pacific Games in the same year.

Sources: al Jazeera, Reuters, Solomon Islands Election Commission

Solomon Islands general elections saw a decrease in women's representation in parliament and an increase in voter turnout from the previous elections. Three women were elected to parliament, down from four in the previous sitting. Turnout was 82 per cent, up from 68 per cent in the 2019 elections.

Sources: al Jazeera, Reuters, Solomon Islands Election Commission