Some like riots, others regime change as the country prepares to go to the polls on 17 April
THE Acting Governor General Patteson John Oti yesterday declared April 17 as the day Solomon Islands would go to the poll to elect 50 Members who will represent the 700-thousand plus people in the 12th Parliament.
Mr Oti’s declaration confirmed a report carried by Solomon Star on 27 January that this year’s election would be held on Wednesday 17 April.
His announcement has however been greeted by threats of violence to disrupt the election over a number of issues, including payment of outstanding police claims in the last 21 years.
A former police officer, using the name Douglas Vehe of Central Islands Province let the cat out of the bag in an email, which he sent twice to Solomon Star.
According to the latest email, Mr Vehe said the plan to boycott the national general elections was discussed at a meeting at the Rove Police Club on 30th January this year.
“I went to the club and there were former and current serving police officers and former employees like me. All of us were there to discuss the delay in making our payments,” Mr Vehe said.
“One of the former police officers named Willie Baetalua who seemed to be a leader in the club, keeps criticizing the caretaker government for delaying the payment and all other stuffs, and he claims that he is working with some powerful friends to get our payments.
“At first, I agreed with them in the rising excitement, but later [I realized] their statements [were becoming] aggressive, and some even dangerous. Some said we should protest in front of the police department, and some encourages us to sue the government. At the latest meeting on 30th of January, Willie stood up and claimed that the government would never consider our protests or claims, the only way for us to get our payments is to boycott the National General Election this year, stirring up violence, and force the government to address our needs,” Mr Vehe said.
The meeting on 30 January was then told how such a boycott of the election would be carried out.
“… many of the ballot boxes are unguarded, so first, we take ships from Honiara to the provincial capital town ports (where) ring leaders would seize the boats or other vehicles at the ports, [grab] the ballot boxes and smash them up, throw the boxes into the sea and burn the voting tickets.”
Mr Vehe said the plan startled him and he decided on what to do to stop such a violent boycott from taking place.
“This is also why I wish the public should know [about] this horrible strategy and take care of themselves. I believe my payment will be paid after the election, but if the government does not do something to restrict those shadowy figures in authority, our society will continuously be threatened by riots they instigate and support.”
The issue which prompted police to consider instigating violence is to do with non-payment of some 400-plus police officers who served on the Solomon Islands-Bougainville border during the ethnic tension.
Successive governments, led by Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, has taken these police officers for a run-around.
Now these officers are threatening to boycott the election.
“We who [have] not been paid stated our claim to the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services (MPNSCS), but the Permanent Secretary responded (to) us that the payment will arrive as the new government is established.
“The caretaker government now [does not] have the right to draw funds.”
While angry police are focused on disrupting the election, the majority prefer a regime change because many believe the DCGA government has allowed corruption to run wild.
Assessments on whether the Sogavare-led government would be returned after the election, vary. According to one, only 11 MPs out of 14 that Malaita had in the last Parliament would be retained.
Deputy Prime Minister and MP for East Malaita Constituency is reportedly facing an uphill battle in keeping his seat. The former MP for North Malaita could also be facing a similar dilemma.
A similar result is expected from Guadalcanal Province which held eight (8) seats in the last government.
The outcome in Western Province, which held nine (9) seats in the last Parliament is rather unclear.
“There will be losses but it is not quite clear how many will go,” one political observer said.
“A fair conclusion is that while police want to boycott the election with violence over their outstanding payment, the majority of Solomon Islands is looking forward to a regime change. This is because the country has been driven deeper and deeper into corruption and massive debt.
“Solomon Islands need a change,” the observer said.
By Alfred Sasako