Solomon Islands
National Parliament
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
03.04.2019
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
19.11.2018
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
50
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
333
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
307
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
26
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
7.81%
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
13
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
359,690
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
The 2019 elections returned a fragmented parliament: eight parties entered a 50-member Parliament along with 21 independent candidates. After the 2019 elections, former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (independent) re-launched his Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party (OUR Party). The OUR Party subsequently formed the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA, see note 1) and announced that it would endorse Mr. Sogavare as its premiership candidate. His main opponent, Mr. Matthew Wale of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (which came first in the 2019 elections, with eight seats), for his part, formed the Grand Coalition (GC, see note 2). The GC endorsed Mr. Peter Kenilorea Jr. (son of the country’s first Prime Minister and the current leader of the Solomon Islands United Party) as its premiership candidate.
Mr. Wale questioned Mr Sogavare’s eligibility as Prime Minister owing to the late registration of his political party (see note 3). Mr. Wale subsequently obtained a High Court order to postpone the premiership election. However, the order was delivered to Governor-General Sir Frank Kabui just before the election, which went ahead as scheduled on 24 April. The GC walked out of Parliament in protest. Mr. Sogavare was elected Prime Minister, winning 34 of the 35 votes cast. His election triggered protests in parts of the capital Honiara. On 25 April, the Governor-General swore in Mr. Sogavare for a fourth term. Mr. Wale subsequently filed a case challenging the validity of Mr. Sogavare's election as Prime Minister. On 24 May, the Chief Justice dismissed the case, stating the challenges were baseless.
The major electoral issues in 2019 included the country’s diplomatic relations. Outgoing Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela’s Democratic Alliance Party said it would review the country’s ties with Taiwan (established in 1983). After beginning his new term, Mr. Sogavare said the country would conduct a "comprehensive assessment of the China question".
Note 1:
The DCGA comprises the OUR Party, the Democratic Alliance Party, led by outgoing Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (who had succeeded Mr. Sogavare in 2017), the Kadere Party and the Solomon Islands People First Party.
Note 2:
The GC comprises Mr. Wale’s Solomon Islands Democratic Party, Mr. Peter Kenilorea Jr.’s Solomon Islands United Party, and the United Democratic Party.
Note 3:
Mr. Wale argued that under electoral law a party cannot be registered during the election period and that the leader of the party with the highest number of MPs should be appointed Prime Minister. The acting Registrar of the Political Parties Integrity Commission said the OUR Party had been registered in accordance with the Political Parties Integrity Act.
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
54%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Not applicable
Note on the alternation of power
The composition of the government changed between elections.
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
4
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
OUR Party, Kadere Party, Democratic Alliance Party and Peoples First Party
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| OUR Party | 27 |
| Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) | 7 |
| Kadre Party | 5 |
| Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) | 4 |
| Solomon Islands People First Party | 3 |
| United Democratic Party (UDP) | 1 |
| Solomon Islands United Party (UP) | 1 |
| Independent Group in Parliament | 2 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
48
Number of women elected
2
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
4%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
Two women were elected in April 2019 and one more woman was elected in a by-election held in December 2019 thus bringing the number of women to a record three.
Other notes
The “Parties or coalitions winning seats” data above refer to the composition of the 11th Parliament and not to the election results.
Sources
National Parliament (18.04.2019, 16.05.2019, 25.09.2019)
Solomon Times
ABC Radio Australia
Radio New Zealand
AFP-JIJI
Nikkei Asian Review
Pacific Women in Politics
Solomon Star News
Women Directly Elected
2
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
48
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
2
First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
14
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
24.04.2019
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Patteson John
Oti
(Male)
Date of election
15.05.2019