New election apps released

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Office has introduced two new apps called the interactive mobile phone SMS text platform, and a webpage called ‘Polling Station Locator’ to ensure voters know where to go to cast their ballots next Wednesday. Chief Electoral Officer CEO Mose Saitala said: “These additional election services from SIEC launched today will make…

Market to close on election day

THE Honiara Central Market will be closed during the polling day and counting days. Police Commissioner Matthew Varley also announced on Thursday at his weekly media conference that there will be a national ban on alcohol sales declared on April 3 and also on counting days. Varley said at the moment they are looking at…

HEALTH WORRY

NRH scale down services as workers head home to vote By ANDREW FANASIA SERVICES at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara have been scaled down starting last Thursday to allow doctors, nurses, and other medical workers to travel and vote in their home constituencies. That’s according to hospital chief executive officer Dr Steve Aumanu…

LIQUOR BAN APPEAL

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) strongly appeals to all liquor license holders throughout the country to observe the liquor ban declared from 2 – 6 April 2019 to coincide with the National General Election next week. The Liquor Ban Order has been issued by the Caretaker Minister of Home Affairs, Ishmael Avui under…

MURRAY JAILED

*Former PS gets 4 years verdict*Ineligible to contest NGE By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN THE former permanent secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), who corruptly received more than $700,000 from the government has been sentenced to four years imprisonment, Friday. This means that Henry Murray, 52, who is also a candidate contesting the East Makira…

GOV’T CLOSES OFFICE

Malaysia mission shutting down By ANDREW FANASIA THE Government is closing down the country’s High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, just five years after it opened the mission in 2013. The decision comes as High Commissioner Victor Ngele’s contract comes to an end. “…yes, the office is closing down,” one senior official from the Ministry…

Malaita plans 1 week liquor ban

MALAITA intends to impose a liquor ban three days before polling day and four days after. Acting premier Joe Heroau mentioned this during discussions on the issue, Wednesday. The nation goes to the polls on April 3, which has been declared a public holiday. The ban, Heroau said, may start on April 1 and continue…

International election observers arriving

INTERNATIONAL electoral observers are starting to fly into the country to observe the first Solomon Islands National General Election (NGE) since the RAMSI left the country in 2017. Solomon Island Electoral Office (SIEC) Chief Electoral Officer Mose Saitala told the media in Honiara, Monday. According to Saitala they expect 200 electoral observers both internationally and…

Death certificate wanted in court

CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has ordered the death certificate of late John Biliki, who was charged in connection with the $10 million scandal in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, to be provided to the court. Palmer ordered Biliki’s lawyer to provide the death certificate within the next 14 days. This is to…