GNUT may use ‘sunset clause’ to extend Parliament for 2028 elections
By Eddie Osifelo
Solomon Star, Honiara
The Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is likely to consider using a ‘Sunset Clause’ to extend the life of Parliament before its dissolution in 2028 to allow the National General Elections to be held later in the year.
This comes as the country will also celebrate its 50th Independence Anniversary on 7 July 2028.
And the 12th Parliament should complete its term in mid-2028.
Special Secretary to the Prime Minister (SSPM) Albert Kabui confirmed during a press conference on Sunday that the matter will ultimately be decided by Cabinet.
However, he noted that such an approach has been taken before.
Mr Kabui said the previous government amended the Constitution through a ‘sunset clause’ to suspend the normal timing for the dissolution of Parliament.
He said the government will also be guided by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and other stakeholders responsible for conducting the election, particularly on issues such as manpower and logistics.
“A motion will still have to come to Cabinet, but the process on how to do it is already in place,” Mr Kabui said.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the government has not yet made a final decision regarding the timing of the 2028 elections.
“But as you know, the 12th Parliament should finish around May or June, and normally within three months we should have elections,” he said.
“However, given these two important events, the government will have to make some decisions on the election date in 2028.”
On September 8, 2022, Parliament passed a Constitutional Amendment Bill brought by the last Sogavare’s government to defer the dissolution of Parliament to 2024.
The Bill was passed in its third reading with 37 out of 49 Members of Parliament voting in support.
The amendment was introduced because both the 2023 Pacific Games and the National General Elections were originally scheduled to be held in the same year.
The Bill required a two-thirds majority, equivalent to 33 MPs, to pass. The government secured 37 votes in both the second and third readings.
In the third reading, 37 MPs voted in favour, 10 voted against, and two were absent.
The Act altered the Constitution to suspend the operation of Section 73(3) until 31 December 2023, allowing the dissolution of the Eleventh Parliament on that date and paving the way for the April 2024 National General Elections.
The 2028 national general elections will also include the Honiara City Council and the provinces.
