BY CHRIS ALEX
THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has announced a collaboration with the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) to ensure a peaceful election day in the 2024 joint election on April 17.
The partnership aims to maintain law and order during the voting process and prevent any potential disruptions or violence.
Speaking about the collaboration at the recent talkback show with the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) on March 24, Deputy Commissioner Operations of the RSIPF, Juanita Matanga, stressed the importance of a secure environment for voters to exercise their democratic rights, pledging to collaborate with the Electoral Commission to uphold electoral integrity.
Matanga further stressed that the RSIPF’s focus extends beyond the capital city of Honiara, with plans to allocate resources and personnel to provinces across the Solomon Islands.
“We have done a lot of work in terms of our planning and preparation for deployment to the provinces. With our plans, we have put in a lot of effort to support the SIEC, and we are planning in terms of how and when to deploy police officers throughout the country.
“The extensive planning and preparations undertaken by the RSIPF are aimed at supporting the SIEC in maintaining peace and order throughout the country during the electoral process,” Matanga said.
The Electoral Commission has welcomed the support of the RSIPF, noting that their partnership will help to safeguard the democratic process and uphold the principles of free and fair elections. Together, the two organizations are committed to working together to ensure a peaceful and successful election day for the people of the Solomon Islands.
She highlighted the importance of adhering to the provisions outlined in the electoral act, emphasizing the role of law enforcement in ensuring that citizens follow the correct processes outlined by the SIEC.
“There are a lot of provisions outlined in the electoral act, and those are some areas we will be looking at to support the SIEC to ensure that people follow the right processes and vote according to SIEC acts,” Matanga added.
Matanga urged every citizen of the Solomon Islands to cooperate with law enforcement officers on the ground and follow their advice to foster peaceful cohesion during the electoral process on April 17, 2024.
The collaborative efforts between the RSIPF and the SIEC demonstrate their commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring a smooth electoral process for the people of the Solomon Islands.
