The office of the Solomon Islands governor general has confirmed that the police commissioner who was suspended in September has been dismissed because he is too old.
Police say Peter Aoraunisaka, who is over the official retirement age of 55, was the only person involved in a car crash shortly after his appointment.
Civil society groups claim the collision was orchestrated by elements of government in order to discredit him and install a preferred candidate, Walter Kola, who was suspended earlier last year over allegations of corruption.
The governor general's private secretary Nigel Maezama says the position was re-advertised yesterday.
He says a lack of consultation between the police and correctional services commission and the prime minister's office are to blame for the initial, flawed appointment.
"To be exact, Mr Aoraunisaka was not yet appointed, you know the decision to appoint was made by the police and correctional services but when they made the recommendation this office found out that Mr Aoraunisaka was over the age as provided for under the constitution, yes."
Nigel Maezama says applications close on January the 31st.
