Man remanded in custody for alleged electoral offence

A 50-year-old man was remanded in custody on 14 February 2019, after failing to pay his cash bail ordered by the court.

The man was charged with seven counts of Misleading Information under section 113 (2) of the Electoral Act which carries a maximum penalty of $50,000.00 or five years imprisonment or both.

Officers from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) National Criminal Investigation Division (NCID) arrested the man on 12 February 2019 for allegations instituted under the Electoral Act.

Police made the arrest after receiving referrals from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) revealing details of a 50-year-old man from Malaita Province registered to vote on seven separate occasions, using different names, dates of birth and other details on each occasion. Only one of the seven registrations allegedly included his correct details.

Deputy Director NCID Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “The 50-year-old man was remanded in custody on 14 February 2019, after failing to pay his cash bail ordered by the court.”

She adds: “This morning, 15 February 2019 a relative of the defendant approached the Court and finally paid his cash bail ($500.00) and he was released on strict bail conditions. This includes reporting at the White River Police Station on Mondays and Fridays between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and he is not allowed to travel outside of the boundaries of Honiara.”

A task force was created within the NCID to investigate the SIEC referral cases that this taskforce will continue to work closely with SIEC to investigate and apprehend anybody trying to influence the National General Election.

The defendant’s next court appearance is 28 February 2019.

The RSIPF investigation into the National General Election multi registration cases is ongoing.