23 May 2018

Voting underway in Solomons by-election

2:16 pm on 23 May 2018

Voting is underway in the Western Province of Solomon Islands in the by-election for the Gizo Kolombangara constituency.

Voting in the Western Province of Solomon Islands

Voting in the Western Province of Solomon Islands Photo: Aaron Szetu

Five candidates, including a former prime minister are contesting the seat which became vacant after the constituency's former representative, Jimson Tanangada, was found guilty of bribing voters during the national election in 2014.

Mr Tanangada has not been allowed to contest the by-election but he is supporting his wife Lanell's candidacy.

She and the former prime minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, are the main contenders according to local media.

It was Mr Lilo who filed the successful election petition against Mr Tanangada after his surprise loss in the 2014 poll.

Voting in the Western Province of Solomon Islands

Photo: Aaron Szetu

The five candidates contesting for the seat are Gordon Darcy Lilo of the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement, Peter Sogoilo of Democratic Alliance Pary, Kenneth Bulehite of the United Democratic Party and independent candidates Lanelle Tanangada and Ronald Phillipe Dive.

Counting is due to begin at 9am tomorrow.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs