Counting is underway in Solomon Islands for two by-elections, Central Honiara and Northeast Guadalcanal.
Returning officers in Solomon Islands verifying and accounting for all polling materials ahead of counting in the Central Honiara and Northeast Guadalcanal by elections. 19 November 2020 Photo: Solomon Islands Electoral Commission
Polling for both constituencies closed yesterday.
Central Honiara is the larger of the two with more than 15,000 registered voters while Northeast Guadalcanal has just over 5000.
The by elections for both constituencies were called after the courts found both of their respective former MPs guilty of bribing voters during the national election last year.
Although both of the disgraced MPs were disqualified from taking part in these by elections their spouses are in the running.
Also among the election candidates are two former prime ministers Derek Sikua who is running in Northeast Guadalcanal and Gordon Darcy Lilo in Central Honiara.
Electoral officials are anticipating results for Northeast Guadalcanal to be in by Friday morning while Central Honiara should be announced over the weekend.