The objective: Elections in Solomon Islands are free and fair.
Strengthening the Solomon Islands electoral system to support the conduct of free and fair elections – for all Solomon Islanders – is the key priority of RAMSI’s assistance to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission.
The strategy
RAMSI will provide assistance to the Solomon Islands Government to achieve effective, reliable and efficient electoral processes by:
- Strengthening the status, structure, management and capacity of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission.
- Providing technical support to improve the electoral system.
- Supporting voter and stakeholder awareness.
To learn more about some of the specific targets that have been set for each strategy, download the Partnership Framework document.
The challenges
Much of the law for the administration and conduct of elections in Solomon Islands has remained unchanged from British colonial times, with the small office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission having historically operated only in times of elections and by-elections.
Demand is growing from Solomon Islanders to have one strong, well-resourced and independent body to conduct all elections – at both the provincial and national levels – and to lead electoral system reform.
Reform of both the structure of the Electoral Commission and the laws for conducting voter registration and elections are expected to take time, and be subject to significant political debate in order for changes to occur that take into account Solomon Islands customs, culture, resources, geography and political system.
RAMSI’s work
RAMSI advisers are currently working alongside their colleagues from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission to help drive the improvements to the country’s electoral system. The work of this partnership covers the following key areas:
1. Solomon Islands Electoral Commission
RAMSI’s assistance aims to improve the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, and the systems, processes and skills within it. The key targets for this work include:
- Putting in place a new structure for the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, ensuring it is a capable and professional organisation.
- Improved planning, preparation and administration of the 2010 national election and any following by-elections.
- Improved voter registration processes and more accurate voter lists.
2. Electoral system improvement
RAMSI is assisting the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission to improve the country’s electoral system. Improvements could include changes to legislation, which would help to ensure Solomon Islands voters are served fairly by the representative process. The key target for this work:
- Electoral legislation is reviewed to improve the conduct and transparency of elections in Solomon Islands.
3. Voter awareness
Improving Solomon Islanders awareness of their electoral rights and responsibilities remains a key part of RAMSI’s assistance to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission. This work involves a significant amount of direct communication with communities across the country, with the following key targets:
- Solomon Islanders are aware of how to vote and participate in the electoral process, as voters, candidates, independent observers and electoral officials.Solomon Islanders have confidence in the conduct and results of the election.
Achievements so far
RAMSI’s assistance to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission has seen a number of key achievements. These include:
- In February 2010, Solomon Islands Parliament passed an amendment to the country’s Electoral Act, providing the Electoral Commission with better powers to direct electoral officials. These reforms also gave the Electoral Commission the power to count a ballot paper as valid where the intention of the voter is clear in their selection of one candidate.
- Solomon Islands voters are now significantly more aware of their electoral rights and obligations following extensive voter awareness activities by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, with support from RAMSI.
- Updated training and operations manuals have now been produced for all electoral support staff.
- Improved financial systems and procedures are now in place within the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, which provide greater monitoring of electoral expenditure.
- A new graduate program has been introduced to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission. This program, introduced with RAMSI’s support, is providing three Solomon Islands university graduates with valuable experience working in all areas of the electoral process.
- Improved ballot security procedures have been implemented for elections, such as indelible ink and ballot box security seals, which will help to ensure voters only vote once, and their ballot papers are kept safe and secure.