The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has stepped into the heart of Australia’s capital this week, joining the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for a three‑day Knowledge Exchange Program (KEP) designed to sharpen electoral skills and strengthen institutional capacity.
The program opened on Tuesday at the AEC’s National Office, where the SIEC delegation outlined its current workforce planning and management of Temporary Election Workers (TEWs). The presentation set the stage for frank discussions on reforms, operational training, and the AEC’s “Learn, Practice, Apply” framework a model that has become central to its national trainer pool and leadership development programs.
By Wednesday, the focus had shifted to the nuts and bolts of election delivery: recruiting and onboarding TEWs, training and assessment methods, and governance processes. Delegates also explored the AEC’s e‑learning systems, examining how technology, accessibility, and connectivity are reshaping staff training.
The final sessions will broaden the lens, looking at workforce development models, leadership pathways, and strategic issues such as out‑of‑country and constituency voting areas of growing importance for the Solomon Islands as it considers electoral reform.
Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Highwood Anisi described the program as “timely and practical,” noting its relevance to SIEC’s preparations for the 2027 Biometric Voter Registration and the 2028 Joint Elections.
“The Knowledge Exchange Program gives us a chance to learn directly from the AEC’s experience and adapt those lessons to our own context,” he said.
The program wraps up on Friday with reflections, next steps, and a forward‑looking review of SIEC’s reform agenda.
