New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)
Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments

Solomon Islands

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National Parliament

Political system Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
Unicameral
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IPU membership Current membership status
No
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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.
19.11.2014
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
08.09.2014
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
30.04.2023
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".
443
Number of male candidates Number of male candidates
417
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.
5.87%
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.
12

Voter turnout

Registration Number of people registered to vote
287,565

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
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.
Number of parties winning seats The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
6
Percentage of parties winning seats The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
50%
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.
64%
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.
Yes
Number of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
2
Names of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
United Democratic Party, Kadare Party of Solomon Islands
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
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
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
49
Number of women elected
1
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.
2%
Note on the 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.
Other notes
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).
Sources
National Parliament (17.12.2014, 29.05.2018) Salomon Islands Electoral Commission The Commonwealth
Women Directly Elected
1

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.
49
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.
1
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.
15
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.
09.12.2014
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.
Ajilon Jasper Nasiu (Male)
Date of election
17.12.2014