NGE process in Choiseul Province completed peacefully

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) says the polling, counting and declaration of the results in the National General Election (NGE) in Choiseul Province from 3-5 April 2019 has been peaceful.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Choiseul Province Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “As PPC for Choiseul Province, I would like to thank the deployed RSIPF officers from Honiara and those in Choiseul, the NGE Electoral Manager and his staff, for the part they played in this NGE including the polling and counting of ballot papers.”

“I would also like to thank all church leaders for your prayers, tribal chiefs and community leaders, Crime Prevention Community (CPC) members and other stake holders. Thumbs up to everyone for a peaceful NGE in Choiseul,” says PPC Eria

He explains: “This demonstrated how the police, the Choiseul Electoral Office and the community worked together as one people of Lauru during this NGE. This cooperation made the work of police easy during the NGE.”

Police are maintaining high visibility in the provincial capital Taro and monitoring the situation in the rest of the province.

“I appeal to both the winning and losing candidates with their supporters in Choiseul Province to respect each other. Let us maintain peace and avoid sea parades on boats and as well as provoking other voters as this will only escalate matters. Let us keep the consumption of alcohol or any other illegal substance out of any celebrations,” says PPC Eria.

Counting of ballot papers in the Choiseul national constituencies has been completed with winners officially declared already by the Electoral Commission.