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General elections were held in the Solomon Islands between 22 May and 12 June 1973. [1] The following year, Solomon Mamaloni of the People's Progressive Party became the first Chief Minister.
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General elections were held in the Solomon Islands between 22 May and 12 June 1973. [1] The following year, Solomon Mamaloni of the People's Progressive Party became the first Chief Minister.
The Governing Council was enlarged from 26 to 33 seats prior to the election. Of the 33 members, 24 were elected in single-member constituencies (increased from seventeen) and nine were appointed, including three ex officio members. [2] [3] The member representing Eastern Outer Island was elected directly for the first time, having previously been elected by an electoral college, although suffrage on the islands was limited to men by local chiefs. [3]
A total of 118 candidates contested the 24 elected seats. [2] Campaigning in Honiara was reported to be unusually bitter, with posters being torn down and several complaints made to the police. [4] Only one political party, the Solomons United National Party of David Kausimae, contested the elections. [1]
Only six of the MPs elected in 1970 were re-elected, [2] and only one member of the Solomons United National Party. [1] Voter turnout ranged from 42% in Honiara to 82%. [1]
| Constituency | Candidate | Votes | % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ꞌAreꞌare | David Kausimae | 1,223 | 63.14 | Re-elected |
| Peter Kenilorea | 714 | 36.86 | ||
| Total | 1,937 | 100 | ||
| Central Guadalcanal | David Thuguvoda | 618 | 41.28 | Elected |
| Alfred Maeke | 507 | 33.87 | Unseated | |
| Moses Albert Rere | 191 | 12.76 | ||
| Allan Billy Masedi | 181 | 12.09 | ||
| Total | 1,497 | 100 | ||
| Central Malaita | Collin Gauwane | 567 | 37.80 | Elected |
| George Maelalo | 243 | 16.20 | ||
| Lionel Oloni | 201 | 13.40 | ||
| Vincent Talauburi | 190 | 12.67 | ||
| Jazial Fono | 133 | 8.87 | ||
| Frank Lulu Bare | 89 | 5.93 | ||
| Timeous Teioli | 65 | 4.33 | ||
| Nelson Kifo | 12 | 0.80 | ||
| Total | 1,500 | 100 | ||
| Choiseul | Gideon Zoleveke | 690 | 42.94 | Elected |
| Franklin Pitakaka | 318 | 19.79 | ||
| Allan Qurusu | 263 | 16.37 | ||
| Binet Gadebeta | 192 | 11.95 | ||
| Benjamin Robinson | 81 | 5.04 | ||
| Peter Qorovuku | 63 | 3.92 | ||
| Total | 1,607 | 100 | ||
| East Guadalcanal | Waeta Ben | 618 | 39.31 | Elected |
| David Valusa | 216 | 13.74 | ||
| Joel Kikolo | 171 | 10.88 | ||
| James Bosa | 148 | 9.41 | ||
| Sukuatu Malakia | 113 | 7.19 | ||
| Donasiano Pororasu | 83 | 5.28 | ||
| Salathiel Lence Roger | 83 | 5.28 | ||
| Total | 1,572 | 100 | ||
| East Isabel/Savo | Francis Reginald Kikolo | 628 | 33.65 | Elected |
| Daniel Denys Maile | 526 | 28.19 | ||
| Wilson Sungi | 394 | 21.11 | ||
| Alfred Charles Bugoro | 318 | 17.04 | ||
| Total | 1,866 | 100 | ||
| East Makira | Benedict Kinika | 1,034 | 61.84 | Elected |
| Geoffrey Kuper | 638 | 38.16 | ||
| Total | 1,672 | 100 | ||
| East Malaita | Leslie Fugui | 441 | 27.19 | Elected |
| Faneta Sira | 338 | 20.84 | ||
| Billy Fa'arobo | 205 | 12.64 | ||
| John Maetia Kaliuae | 188 | 11.59 | ||
| Baddeley Koutu | 111 | 6.84 | ||
| Ben Gale | 97 | 5.98 | ||
| Andrew Gwai | 88 | 5.43 | ||
| Pita Saefafia Kirimaoma | 87 | 5.36 | ||
| Jack Inifiri | 67 | 4.13 | ||
| Total | 1,622 | 100 | ||
| Eastern Outer Islands | Moffat Bonunga | 1,001 | 50.56 | Elected |
| John Melanoli | 503 | 25.40 | ||
| Shadrach Sade | 199 | 10.05 | ||
| John Palusi | 176 | 8.89 | ||
| David Dawea Taukalo | 101 | 5.10 | Unseated | |
| Total | 1,980 | 100 | ||
| Gizo/Ranongga/Simbo/Kolombangara | George Ngumi | 876 | 62.30 | Elected |
| Anthony Ramoi | 276 | 19.63 | ||
| Bruce Ragoso | 148 | 10.53 | ||
| Aquila Talasasa | 55 | 3.91 | ||
| Alfred Bisili | 51 | 3.63 | ||
| Total | 1,406 | 100 | ||
| Honiara | Ashley Wickham | 991 | 54.39 | Elected |
| Peter J. Salaka | 481 | 26.40 | Unseated | |
| Colin Bentley | 196 | 10.76 | ||
| Stephen Anilafa Sipolo | 68 | 3.73 | ||
| Moses Puibangara Pitakaka | 50 | 2.74 | ||
| Paul Belande | 36 | 1.98 | ||
| Total | 1,822 | 100 | ||
| Kwaio | Jonathan Fiifii'i | 477 | 36.78 | Re-elected |
| Frank Tafea'a | 330 | 25.44 | ||
| Paul Andrew Foasi | 238 | 18.35 | ||
| John Maesafi | 200 | 15.42 | ||
| John Fisango | 52 | 4.01 | ||
| Total | 1,297 | 100 | ||
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Philip Solodia | 566 | 44.67 | Elected |
| Mariano Kelesi | 473 | 37.33 | Unseated | |
| Nathan Wate | 193 | 15.23 | ||
| David Mark Tefetea | 35 | 2.76 | ||
| Total | 1,267 | 100 | ||
| Marovo/Kusaghe | Samuel Kuku | 577 | 50.09 | Re-elected |
| Pulepada Ghemu | 575 | 49.91 | ||
| Total | 1,152 | 100 | ||
| Nggela | Moses Mahomed Razak | 537 | 28.17 | Elected |
| Abraham Siau | 487 | 25.55 | ||
| Richard Harper | 419 | 21.98 | ||
| Cecil Wilson Maneau | 165 | 8.66 | ||
| Frank Bollan Vikino | 139 | 7.29 | ||
| Ben Tumulima | 104 | 5.46 | ||
| Jeremiah Legaile Tovono | 55 | 2.89 | ||
| Michael Aike | 54 | 2.83 | ||
| Calisto Houma | 46 | 2.41 | ||
| Gabriel Narasia | 40 | 2.10 | ||
| Total | 1,906 | 100 | ||
| North West Malaita | Jeriel Ofea Ausuta | 389 | 34.92 | Elected |
| Clement Kiriau Ofai | 169 | 15.17 | Unseated | |
| Abel Limari'i | 159 | 14.27 | ||
| Bartholomew Leni Olea | 157 | 14.09 | ||
| Lemuel Liolea | 108 | 9.69 | ||
| Augustine Maelfodola | 101 | 9.07 | ||
| Jeriel Lifuasi | 31 | 2.78 | ||
| Total | 1,114 | 100 | ||
| Roviana/Rendova | John Page | 714 | 57.53 | Elected |
| David E Kera | 228 | 18.37 | ||
| Joseph Nona | 162 | 13.05 | ||
| Alphonse Daga | 137 | 11.04 | ||
| Total | 1,241 | 100 | ||
| Shortlands/Vella Lavella | Andrew Kukuti | 528 | 41.41 | Elected |
| Gordon Siama | 452 | 35.45 | ||
| Dominic Outana | 295 | 23.14 | ||
| Total | 1,275 | 100 | ||
| Small Malaita | Emilio Li'I Ouou | 608 | 42.40 | Elected |
| Anthony Saru | 340 | 23.71 | Unseated | |
| George Garnet | 269 | 18.76 | ||
| Richard Watekari | 217 | 15.13 | ||
| Total | 1,434 | 100 | ||
| South Guadalcanal/Rennell and Bellona | Stephen Cheka | 440 | 22.73 | Elected |
| John Tepaika | 387 | 19.99 | ||
| George Pugeva | 347 | 17.92 | Unseated | |
| George Wilson Mangale | 335 | 17.30 | ||
| Paul John | 237 | 12.24 | ||
| Saddia Chachia | 83 | 4.29 | ||
| Pende Cheryn | 76 | 3.93 | ||
| Jokim Gapu | 31 | 1.60 | ||
| Total | 1,936 | 100 | ||
| West Guadalcanal and Russells | Matthew Belamataga | 745 | 34.85 | Elected |
| Orlie Torling | 431 | 20.16 | ||
| K Kesty Ta'afia | 351 | 16.42 | ||
| Bartholomew Buchanan | 260 | 12.16 | ||
| John Baptist Tura | 214 | 10.01 | ||
| Imogen Vida Phillips | 137 | 6.41 | ||
| Total | 2,138 | 100 | ||
| West Isabel | Willie Betu | 1,059 | 65.21 | Re-elected |
| Eric Anderson | 565 | 34.79 | ||
| Total | 1,624 | 100 | ||
| West Kwara'ae | Peter Kerr Thompson | 1,169 | 72.74 | Re-elected |
| Alan Taki | 288 | 17.92 | ||
| Leonard Maenu'u | 150 | 9.33 | ||
| Total | 1,607 | 100 | ||
| West Makira | Solomon Mamaloni | 1,272 | 74.00 | Re-elected |
| Nathaniel Rahumae Waena | 447 | 26.00 | ||
| Total | 1,719 | 100 | ||
| Source: [5] [6] | ||||
Following the elections, a new political party – the United Solomon Islands Party (USIP) – was formed by fourteen of the winning candidates. [2] Benedit Kinika was elected chair of the new party, with Gideon Zoloveke as his deputy. [7] The Solomons United National Party became defunct. [7] In January 1974 another new party, the People's Progressive Party (PPP) was formed. [2] Having become defunct late in 1973, USIP was also revived.
Later in the 1974 constitutional amendments converted the Governing Council into a Legislative Assembly and introduced the position of Chief Minister, elected by the Assembly. Both USIP and the PPP attempted to win the support of the Independent Group led by Willie Betu before the vote on 27 August. Six rounds were required before a winner emerged. Solodia Funifaka dropped out after the fourth round, with the fifth round resulting in a tie between Kinika and Solomon Mamaloni. In the sixth round, Mamaloni won by 14 votes to 10 for Kinika. [8] A government was subsequently formed by the PPP independent MPs. [2] [9]
Mamaloni appointed five ministers to his cabinet, keeping the Home Affairs portfolio for himself. [10] David Kausimae became Minister of Agriculture and the Rural Economy, Willie Betu was Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs, Stephen Cheka was Minister of Health and Welfare, Peter Kerr Thompson was Minister of Trade, Industry and Labour and Gideon Zoloveke was Minister of Works and Public Utilities. [8] Zoloveke was moved to the Ministry of Home Affairs in late 1974 and replaced as Minister of Works and Public Utilities by Solodia Funifaka. [11] A cabinet reshuffle took place in 1975, with Peter Kerr Thompson sacked from the cabinet. Willie Betu took over as Minister of Trade, Industry and Labour, with Stephen Cheka taking over from Betu as Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs. [12]
Mamaloni resigned as Chief Minister on 18 November 1975 over deal with an American firm to mint coins celebrating self-government. However, on 1 December he was re-elected as Chief Minister by the Legislative Assembly, defeating Allan Taki by 18 votes to 4. [13] He appointed a new cabinet with Jeriel Ausuta as Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Benedict Kinika as Minister of Education, Willie Betu as Minister of Finance, Pulepada Ghemu as Minister of Foreign Trade, Industry and Labour, Francis Kikolo as Minister of Health and Welfare, Jonathan Fiifii'i as Minister of Home Affairs, David Thuguvoda as Minister of Natural Resources and Ashley Wickham as Minister of Works and Public Utilities. Five of the nine ministers were members of USIP, two were from the PPP and one was an independent. [13]
Politics of Solomon Islands takes place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic, constitutional monarchy. Solomon Islands is an independent Commonwealth realm, where executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and a multi-party parliament.
Solomon Islands, also known simply as the Solomons, is a country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Melanesia, part of Oceania, to the northeast of Australia. It is directly adjacent to Papua New Guinea to the west, Australia to the southwest, New Caledonia and Vanuatu to the southeast, Fiji, Wallis and Futuna, and Tuvalu to the east, and Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia to the north. It has a total area of 28,896 square kilometres, and a population of 734,887 according to the official estimates for mid 2023. Its capital and largest city, Honiara, is located on the largest island, Guadalcanal. The country takes its name from the wider area of the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands that also includes the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, but excludes the Santa Cruz Islands.
Solomon Sunaone Mamaloni was a Solomon Islands politician. He was the first chief minister of the islands, and later served as the prime minister for three spells in the 1980s and 1990s.
Sir Peter Kenilorea was a Solomon Islander politician, officially styled The Rt Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. He was the first prime minister of an independent Solomon Islands, from 1978–1981, and also served a second term from 1984–1986.
The People's Progressive Party (PPP) was a political party in the Solomon Islands.
Bartholomew (Bart) Ulufa'alu CMG was the prime minister of Solomon Islands from 27 August 1997 to 30 June 2000.
General elections were held for the first time in the New Hebrides on 10 November 1975. The result was a victory for the New Hebrides National Party, which won 17 seats in the new Representative Assembly.
General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 22 June 1976. Although contested by three political parties, the Independent Group emerged as the largest group in the Legislative Assembly, and elected Peter Kenilorea Chief Minister.
General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 6 August 1980. They were the first since independence has been achieved two years earlier. The Solomon Islands United Party led by Prime Minister Peter Kenilorea emerged as the largest party, winning 16 of the 38 seats. Following the elections, Kenilorea was re-elected Prime Minister.
General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 24 October 1984. A total of 230 candidates contested the elections, the result of which was a victory for the Solomon Islands United Party, which won 13 of the 38 seats, despite receiving fewer votes than the People's Alliance Party.
General elections were held in the Solomon Islands in May and June 1970, the first to the new Governing Council. Most candidates ran as independents.
The Independent Group (IG) is a political faction in the Solomon Islands comprising the independent members of the Solomon Islands Parliament.
The United Solomon Islands Party was a political party in the Solomon Islands.
The Solomon United National Party (SUN) was a political party in the Solomon Islands.
ꞌAreꞌare was a single-member constituency of the Governing Council and Legislative Assembly of the Solomon Islands. Created in 1973 when the Governing Council was expanded from 17 to 24 seats, it was located on the island of Malaita. In the 1973 elections the seat was won by David Kausimae, who had been elected in the South Central Malaita constituency in the 1970 elections, defeating Peter Kenilorea. It was abolished in 1976 and succeeded by East ꞌAreꞌare and West ꞌAreꞌare.
Naboua T. Ratieta was an I-Kiribati politician who became the first Chief Minister of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1974. The Ellice Islands separated from the colony the following year, and he remained Chief Minister of the Gilbert Islands until 1978. He also served as an MP from 1968 until his death.
Mosese Qionibaravi was a Fijian chief, civil servant and politician. He served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1973 until his death, also holding the offices of Speaker of the House, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Finance, and Deputy Prime Minister.
Mary Laufa Gilu is a Vanuatuan former politician. She and Tessa Fowler were the first women elected to the New Hebrides Representative Assembly, serving from 1975 to 1977.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury is a government ministry of the Solomon Islands responsible for public finances. The ministry is located in Honiara.
