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Parliament name National Parliament More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU No Affiliation date(s) LEADERSHIP President Ajilon Jasper Nasiu (M)  Notes Elected on 17 Dec. 2014. Secretary General Clezy Rore (M)  Notes Appointed on 24 March 2015. COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 50 / 50 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 2 (4.00%) Mode of designation directly elected 50 Notes Although the Speaker is elected among persons who are qualified for election as a member of parliament s/he does not become member of parliament. The Deputy Speaker is, however, elected amongst members of parliament. Term 4 years Last renewal dates 19 November 2014 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address National Parliament of the Solomon Islands P.O. Box G 19 HONIARA, Guadalcanal (Export mailing lists) Phone (677) 28 520 22 732 Fax (677) 24 272 23 080 E-mail clezy.rore@parliament.gov.sb Website http://www.parliament.gov.sb/

Parliament name National Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 3 April 1980 Last amendment: 28.07.2005 Mode of designation directly elected 50 Constituencies 50 single-member constituencies. Voting system Majority: Single member plurality systems ("first past the post"). Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by elections. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Solomon Islands citizenship (including naturalized citizens) - residence in the constituency at the time of election - citizens overseas cannot vote - disqualifications: insanity, electoral offence, imprisonment for more than 6 months, death sentence, holders of temporary entry permits, undocumented immigrants CANDIDATES Eligibility - qualified electors - age: 21 years - Solomon Islands citizenship (including naturalized citizens) - residence in the constituency at the time of election - ineligibilities: allegiance to a foreign State, undischarged bankruptcy, imprisonment for more than six months, death sentence, holders of temporary entry permits, undocumented immigrants, executives of the Electoral commission, members of the Electoral Commission Incompatibilities - Head of State - holders of public posts - holders of judicial offices (judges) - civil servants - Government advisors - executives of the Electoral Commission - members of the Electoral Commission - executive of a public (state) corporation - staff member of a public (state) corporation - members of the armed forces - members of the police forces The incompatibilities above are valid during the term of office. Candidacy requirements - nomination by at least three qualified electors of the constituency concerned at least 28 days prior to elections - candidature can be submitted by individuals or by political parties - non-reimbursable deposit of 2,000 Solomon Island dollars par candidate

Parliament name National Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 19 November 2014 Timing and scope of renewal The 2014 elections returned a fragmented parliament. A record 32 independent candidates were elected to the 50-member Parliament, up from 19 in 2010. They included former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Outgoing Finance Minister Rick Houenipwela's Democratic Alliance Party came in first with seven seats, followed by the United Democratic Party and the People's Alliance Party which took five and three seats respectively. Prime Minister Mr. Gordon Darcy Lilo, who had led the ruling coalition called the National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) since 2012, lost his seat. Ms. Freda Comua was elected, becoming the third woman only in the country to win parliamentary representation. Following the elections, Mr. Sogavare established the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) in view of forming a new government. The DCC comprised the United Democratic Party and the Kadere Party (which took one seat) as well as a number of independents who had previously held high-level government positions. On 10 December, Parliament elected Mr. Sogavare as Prime Minister with 31 votes. He defeated Mr. Jeremiah Manele (Democratic Alliance Party), who took the remaining 19 votes. The latter's candidacy was supported by the Solomon Islands Peoples Democratic Coalition (SIPDC, see note). Prime Minister Sogavare promised to rebuild the country's economy through foreign investment. On 17 December, Parliament elected Mr. Ajilon Jasper Nasiu, as its new Speaker. He defeated Ms. Taeasi Sanga, the long-serving Clerk, nominated by Opposition Leader Manele (SIPDC) and Independent Leader Mr. Manasseh Maelanga. Prior to the elections, Prime Minister Lilo introduced biometric voter registration and issued voter identification cards to prevent people from casting multiple votes. More than 280,000 voters were registered for the 2014 elections, after an audit had removed 160,000 fraudulent registrations. Official turnout figures in 2014 were significantly higher than in previous elections. Note: the Solomon Islands Peoples Democratic Coalition (SIPDC) was formed by the Democratic Alliance Party, the Peoples' Alliance Party, the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement and Solomon Islands People First Party. Date of previous elections: 4 August 2010 Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 8 Sep. 2014 Timing of election: Upon normal expiry* *Article 74 of the Constitution requires general elections be held within four months of the dissolution of the outgoing legislature (i.e., by January 2015). Expected date of next elections: November 2018 Number of seats at stake: 50 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 443 (417 men, 26 women) Percentage of women candidates: 5.9% Number of parties contesting the election: 12 Number of parties winning seats: 6 Alternation of power: Yes Number of parties in government: 2 Names of parties in government: United Democratic Party, Kadare Party of Solomon Islands and independent members Date of the first session of the new parliament: 9 December 2014 Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Ajilon Jasper Nasiu STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 19 November 2014 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 287'565 Notes 89.93% of the registered voters turned out at the polls. Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Independents Democratic Alliance Party United Democratic Party People's Alliance Party Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement Solomon Islands People First Party Kadare Party of Solomon Islands Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Independents 32 Democratic Alliance Party 7 United Democratic Party 5 People's Alliance Party 3 Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement 1 Solomon Islands People First Party 1 Kadare Party of Solomon Islands 1 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 49 1 2.00% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Distribution of seats according to sex: One woman was elected in November 2014. The number of women increased to two following the by-election in May 2018. Sources: National Parliament (17.12.2014, 29.05.2018) http://www.siec.gov.sb/index.php/journalist/127-2014-national-general-election-results http://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/news-items/documents/2014%20Solomon%20Islands%20COG%20Report%20-%20FINAL.pdf

Parliament name National Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title Speaker of the National Parliament Term - duration: 4 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution Appointment - elected by all the Members of the Parliament - the election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament or when a vacancy occurs - before the Members are sworn in Eligibility - any Member of the Parliament or any qualified person over 21 years of age can be a candidate - candidatures must be submitted to the Clerk by 4pm at the latest on the day preceding the election Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot - absolute majority is required to be elected - the candidates obtaining the least votes in each round is eliminated. Procedures / results - the Clerk presides over the Parliament during the voting - the Clerk announces the results without any delay STATUS Status NA (no information received) Board NA (no information received) Material facilities NA (no information received) FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions - establishes and modifies the agenda, in the framework of the Standing Orders - refers texts to a committee for study Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings, in the framework of the Standing Orders - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Parliament - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - checks the quorum - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Parliament debates Special powers - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Parliament Speaking and voting rights, other functions NA (no information received)

This page was last updated on 19 September 2018
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