11 Nov 2014

Unregistered parties in Solomons queried

9:58 am on 11 November 2014

Questions are being asked about the number of sitting MPs campaigning with unregistered political parties going into next week's Solomon Islands election.

A villlage on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

Photo: RNZI/ Walter Zweifel

Earlier this year the Solomons parliament passed the Political Parties Integrity Act in an effort to bring stability and stop party hopping.

A number of political parties chose not to register to contest the elections but local observers say they are campaigning anyway and include amongst their candidates MPs who had voted for the legislation.

The Political Parties Commission chair, Sir Paul Tovua, says they are aware that unregistered political parties are on the campaign trail and has reiterated that they are breaking the law.

The unregistered parties are seeking a court ruling on the legality of the new law.

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