Australia has deployed support from the police, defence force and parliament to support the upcoming Solomon Islands elections.
Scheduled for April 17, this will be the first time national, provincial and Honiara city council elections will occur on the same day.
Australia is delivering assistance in logistics and voter registration, training for electoral officials and voter awareness initiatives as part of a $25 million aid package.
The Solomon Islands is a young democracy, and has often called for Australian aid during its elections. This has been controversial in some cases, such as in 2019 when Australian police helped quell local protests against parliament putting forward Manasseh Sogavare as prime minister.
Sogavare himself has had a complicated relationship with Australia, both lauding and condemning interventions into Solomon Islands elections.
This election is seen as a milestone in the country’s political history. Sogavare is controversial leader, and there are deep concerns about the economic and even physical safety of residents of the Pacific nation.
The 2019 riots were not the first time citizens took to the street to protest a new leader, and there are concerns they won’t be the last. Corruption and transparency are growing concerns, as journalists and private citizens are increasingly subject to threats and intimidation for reporting unfavourable to the government.
Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy said this assistance reflected what Solomon officials have asked for.
“Australia is pleased to be providing election logistics and security assistance to these important elections,” he said.
“Our support responds to Solomon Islands’ priorities, and is a natural extension of our deep and longstanding bilateral relationship.”
Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will be deployed at the invitation of the Solomon Islands government to “deliver safe and secure elections”.
As part of the Solomons’ International Assistance Force, AFP is working with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and partners from Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The ADF will work alongside the New Zealand Defence Force to provide logistics and enabling support.
Kate Thwaites, Bridget Archer, Andrew McLachlan and former senator Anne McEwen will act as parliamentary observers of the election.
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