Smooth and Incident-Free Process on Ulawa Island as Voters Exercise Constitutional Right
By Lionel Taorao, Stringer/Reporter – Ulawa
The elections on Ulawa Island in the Makira Ulawa Province were reported to be calm and peaceful. The Royal Solomon Islands Police team deployed to oversee the process reported that the joint elections across the ten polling stations on Ulawa Island proceeded smoothly and without incident.
Police officers were strategically stationed, particularly at polling stations with larger voter turnouts. They conducted patrols around the island to monitor all polling stations. Despite some stations experiencing a high number of voters, the voting process concluded earlier than anticipated.
Observations throughout the day revealed a significant voter turnout, particularly in the morning hours. By midday, many polling stations had emptied, with only a few voters arriving later in the afternoon. The Returning Officer for the Ulawa Ugi constituency expressed satisfaction with the level of participation, noting that it contributed to a safe and peaceful electoral environment on Ulawa Island.
Following the closure of all polling stations at 4 pm, electoral officials, assisted by the RSIPF team, transported sealed ballot boxes and election kits to Taheramo Police station for safekeeping overnight. The counting process will take place in Kirakira.
A total of nine contenders vied for the Ulawa Ugi parliamentary seat, while 30 candidates competed across four Provincial wards in the Ulawa Ugi constituency in the Makira Ulawa Province.
Contribution from our stringer in Ulawa is supported by BBC Media Action through Media Strengthening in Solomon Islands Project with the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI)
