Police conduct awareness program at Makaruka and Naho communities in east Guadalcanal

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have conducted an awareness program at Makaruka and Naho communities in east Guadalcanal on 3 April 2024.

The awareness program is part of RSIPF engagement plan to reach out to certain communities in the country in preparation for the joint elections 2024.

A team led by the Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Operations (NO) and Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Guadalcanal Province arrived in Marau police station this week for the awareness program.

AC Evelyn Thugea says, “All registered voters have the right to make their own choice on who they should vote for to represent them both provincial and National Parliament of Solomon in the coming joint elections.

Thugea says, “Voters should not accept any candidate or any agent of a candidate who attempts to influence who you should vote for by promising them goods or any other rewards. Report to Police any candidate who attempts to bribe them for their vote.”

“Report to Police any of its officers seen to support any particular candidate or any political party. Police officers should stay neutral from political campaigns. If you see a police officer involved in any campaign please report him or her to face a disciplinary action,” says AC Thugea.

Police also remind the two communities that during the polling day officers will remove anyone who seems to be drunk with alcohol, kwaso (homebrew) or any other illegal substance in and around any polling booth.

Both chiefs from Makaruka and Naho community have acknowledged police presence and conduct awareness programs, which really help them aware of the voters' responsibility, police responsibilities and electoral offences.

The police acknowledged the two communities for their ongoing support and presented soccer balls as a token of appreciation.