Joint Elections - Voters in Solomon Islands are voting for both their national and provincial representatives. 17 April 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Polling progressed smoothly in Solomon Islands as more than 400,000 registered voters look to elect their national and provincial representatives for the next four years.
One voter told RNZ Pacific they woke up very early this morning and walked to their polling station but when they arrived queues were already forming.
Polling stations close at 4pm local time but the electoral commission says as long as you are already in line to vote you will still be allowed to cast your ballot.
Counting is officially scheduled to start tomorrow but can start earlier at the returning officer's discretion.
Here are some pictures from Honiara.
Elections are underway in Solomon Islands the yellow slips are provincial ballots and white slips are for national candidates. 17 April 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
A voter in Solomon Islands dips their finger in indelible ink a preventative measure against double-voting. 17 April 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Voters in Solomon Islands check for their names at a polling station in West Honiara. 17 April 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
One voter told RNZ Pacific they were excited to cast their vote and hoped leaders would do good things for the country over the next four years. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
At one polling station RNZ Pacific visited this morning there was some minor confusion among some voters looking for their names on the list but other than that the voting process was progressing in a peaceful and orderly manner. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
There was some heavy rain in the morning in the capital but the sun is now out however the Solomon Islands metservice is still forecasting more wet weather today and has issued a strong wind warning. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
In the provincial assembly elections, there are 816 candidates contesting - 781 are men and 35 are women. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
According to the electoral commission, there are 334 election candidates in the running for the 50 available seats in the national election and only 20 of them are women. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Solomon Islanders queuing up to cast their ballots in Honiara. 17 April 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Solomon Islanders queuing up to cast their ballots in Honiara. 17 April 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Counting will begin shortly after polls close and provisional results will be announced as each constituency count is completed. However, official results will only be proclaimed by the Governor-General once everything has been verified. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins