BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
UN’s Resident Coordinator in Fiji, Mr Sanaka Samarasinha informed local journalists in Honiara that the idea to defer the dissolution of the 11th Parliament in the Solomon Islands is a sovereign decision.
Addressing local journalists at a recent brief press conference held at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara, Mr Sanaka said he understands the matters relating to the idea to defer the Parliament from four years to five years.
“As I understand the issue of extending of Parliament would be discussed in Parliament and the decision will be made as to whether to go ahead with the election next year or defer to later on.
“So we wait to see the outcome of that discussion and debate in Parliament ……., I think that the decision is a sovereign decision for a country [Solomon Islands] to make,” the UN’s Resident Coordinator told local journalists during his brief visit in Honiara.
He said that it is important that the legal processes is followed, where it is in the context of the constitution through the democratic mechanism of the parliament in particular.
“It is done in such a way that is inclusive, that take in to consideration the views of the public and through their representative in parliament then we would obviously honour whatever decision it might be, whether to have it in 2023 or later,’’ he said.
He later reiterated that in his brief meeting with the Solomon Islands National Parliament’s Speaker, Patterson Oti, they discussed the strengthening of the Solomon Islands electoral processes especially about the kind of support UN would provide.
“I think for us the important thing is it is inclusive, done through democratic and legal processes. We as the UN would not come and say you should have the election on this day or that day,’’ he said.
Solomon Island Governor General, His Excellency David Vunagi has previously outlined four options regarding to the deferment of the dissolution of the 11th Parliament.
The outlined options are:
- Early dissolution of Parliament as early as May and hold a snap election.
- Hold the National General Election in 2023 as scheduled.
- Defer the National General Election from 2023 to 2024.
- Permanently increase the term of Parliament from four to five years.
