The Solomon Islands' opposition says the Government is using the Pacific Games as an excuse to extend the life of parliament.
Derrick Manu'ari Photo: Supplied
The MP for West Makira, Derrick Manu'ari, said Solomon Islands could host both the Pacific Games and the national general election in 2023.
It comes as the parliament debates a controversial bill to defer the national poll until 2024.
Manu'ari said the argument that the logistics and finance are not in place to host two major events in a year is an excuse which only came about recently.
He said that when the Solomons lobbied in 2016 to host the Pacific Games, they also knew the elections would happen in the same year.
But the agenda to extend Parliament never came up back then.
Manu'ari said pro-Government MPs who are planning to vote in favour of the amendment should think seriously as to whether the reasons to host the Games are more important than the national election.
The Games are set to start in Honiara in November 2023.
Photo: Supplied
Sogavare rejects Australian election offer
The Solomon Islands' government has rejected an Australian offer to fund national elections next year saying it is an attempt at foreign interference.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong this week confirmed that Australia made an offer to help fund elections in Solomon Islands next year.
Last month, some opposition MPs appealed for Australia to step forward and offer to provide financial assistance to allow the poll to be held on schedule.
"We have made an offer of assistance, and it's a matter for Solomon Islands as to whether they respond and how they wish to respond," Wong told Australian media.
Victoria University Political Science professor Jon Fraenkel predicts widespread public discontent if the bill is passed.
"The South Pacific Games is of secondary imprtance compared to the general election. People in the Solomons only get a chance to change their governments every four years, and they cherish that opportunity," he told RNZ Pacific.
"And it's frowned upon to have a prime minister seek to extend his stay in office. Do people really believe this is about the South Pacific Games or is this in fact simply an authoritian manoeuvre?"
