RSIPF officers conduct NGE awareness at markets in East Honiara

The National Crime Prevention Department of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) today (14 February 2019) visited the Burns Creek and Lungga markets in East Honiara as part of RSIPF awareness program leading up to the National General Election (NGE) which will be held on 3 April 2019.

The community awareness started on 3 February 2019, where officers from the National Crime Prevention Department visit churches, communities and markets in and around Honiara.

Speaking at the awareness program at the Lungga market, Staff Sergeant Vivian Foanaota says, “As we are heading to the NGE on 3 April we want our people and communities to be aware of the offences under the Electoral Act.”

Staff Sergeant Foanaota explains: “The Electoral Act is a guideline to safe guard members of the public not to commit these kinds of offences during the election process. They also help us identify what our responsibilities are in the communities we live in. The Electoral Act also ensures that the NGE is carried out in a safe and peaceful environment and registered voters exercise their constitutional right to elect their representatives to the National Parliament.”

She adds: “The RSIPF is working very hard to ensure that the dates leading up to the NGE and after will be peaceful and safe for everybody to exercise their democratic right to vote.”

“At the same time the RSIPF will continue to remind our communities about other issues including domestic violence, anti-social behaviours and also the rise of sexual violence in our communities which may also have a detrimental impact on the NGE,” says Staff Sergeant Foanaota.

The community awareness program will continue tomorrow 15 February 2019 covering outskirts area from Feraladoa to the Borderline Market in East Honiara. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the public awareness meetings which will start at program at 4:00pm in the afternoon.

During the meetings officers of the National Crime Prevention Department distribute pamphlets which contain information on the responsibilities of the RSIPF and those of registered voters and members of the public. The information also includes the offences and penalties should any one commit the offences under the Electoral Act.