A person who engages in election campaign activities outside the campaign period commits an offence as specified in the Electoral Act 2018 section 124.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and Commissioner Jasper Highwood Anisi reminded all candidates, their supporters and the general public that campaigning period ends at midnight tonight, Monday 15 April, 24 hours before Election Day.
Election Day is on Wednesday, 17th April 2024.
“All forms of election campaigns should stop as of midnight tonight (Monday, 15 April 2024).
This means campaign materials such as candidate posters, t-shirts and anything bearing the name or symbol of candidates should not be on display or visible in our communities including slogans promoting a candidate or a party.
“Campaigning inside this campaign blackout period is an electoral offence with a fine of $20,000 and a maximum of 2 years imprisonment and or both,” Mr. Highwood Anisi stated.
Election campaigning is a form of activity in which a candidate or a candidate’s agent tries to influence how a voter casts his/her vote.
It could be in the following forms;
• Public gatherings or promotional events
• Publishing a statement or advertisement promoting a candidate or party candidate.
• Conducting public opinion
• Publishing any item that imitates a ballot paper that has a picture of a candidate, a
symbol, and anything that would promote a candidate.
• Displaying the name and symbol of a candidate or party
• Distribution of promotional items such as stickers, wristbands, balloons, or streamers on political party colours
• Making oral presentations that promote a particular candidate or political party.
The SIEC CEO strongly called on candidates and supporters to respect each other and uphold electoral laws.
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) is an independent Constitutional Electoral Management Body that is responsible for voter registration and the conduct of elections at the Parliamentary, Provincial Assemblies, and Honiara City Council levels.
For Election Happenings, follow SIEO’s Facebook @SIelectoralcommission page and website, on www.siec.gov.sb Or for general inquiries, you can call the office hotline phone on 7222200 or landline 21198.
