Responding to alleged reports of briberies and the improper registration process yesterday at the Mendana hotel, Dr Donahoe said their main objective is to observe and report but not to investigate.
"We are interested in observing whether the benchmarks are adhered to and we want the people of the Solomon Islands to know that it’s their election and it’s for them to conduct the election and to elect their government, but there is an interest in the commonwealth on how that process is carried out,” he said.
"We can report on things that we see undermine a free and fair election, we are observing but not here to investigate so we are observing all aspects and take into account all evidential reports that we receive and see.
He said a small team was here during the pre-election process who prepared a report for them.
"A small team from the commonwealth were here earlier who asses activities leading up to the election day who compile a report and the report has been made available to the current team of observers.
"So the current team is aware of some of the activities that were going on in the pre election process.
"It provided a very useful purpose for us because it has given us directions as to things that we should be particularly observing during the course of our work."
Meanwhile, he said the registration issue regarding the west Honiara constituency is interesting but is a matter for the court to judge on.
"We've been made aware that this case is before the court and we like everybody else awaits the judgment.
"But it’s very much a decision for the court to make, we are not a legal body, we are an observation group so we will wait with interest the court's decision.
"But yes it might be just one constituency but it may have an impact and I presume other constituencies in the country could be facing the same problem.
"We await the result but I'm not prepared to comment on what is essentially a legal issue.”
When asked on how the $50,000 allowed by law here to be spent by each candidate stands with international standards, Dr Donahoe said it depends.
"It varies from country to country. In some countries there are no limits on what candidates can spend, others have very tight limits but the important question is if there are limits, are they enforced properly?"
"So that's one of the things we will be trying to get our hands on whether the limitation for spending by candidates are adhered to and whether mechanisms to ensure those limits are enforced are properly in place.”
Dr Donahoe said the Commonwealth has an interest to know the nature of election in its member countries.
"Our presence here, we are sending a message that there is an interest by the Commonwealth as to how the Solomon Islands conducts its elections.”
However, he said that in carrying out their duties, they will be neutral, impartial, objective and independent.
"The observers are present here in their individual capacities as eminent Commonwealth citizens.
“Therefore in concluding our assessment, we hope to identify positive aspects of the process, and where challenges may be faced, offer constructive recommendations which could help strengthen further the democratic process in the country."
By EDNAL PALMER
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