Election Round-up in the Pacific

The year 2006 has been an important year for democracy in the Pacific region as elections have recently been held in Samoa (March 31), Solomon Islands (April 5) and in Fiji Islands (May 6-13) and a representative from a non-aristocratic background has been appointed Prime Minister in Tonga (March 30). Elections are also to be held in Nauru and Tuvalu later this year.

Samoa

Parliamentary elections were held on March 31. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi of Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) was returned to power again winning 30 seats out of 49 seats. He was the only candidate who was elected unopposed in his constituency. The HRPP has ruled Samoa since 1982 except for one term from 1985 - 1988.

Solomon Islands

Serious violence swept the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara, following the elections held in early April. Despite a peaceful election period – the first since a regional force restored peace in 2003 – the election aftermath was brutal and violent. Thousands of protestors marched on Government House, threatening widespread destruction if the newly elected Prime Minister, Snyder Rini, did not resign. The protestors claimed the election was rigged. Snyder Rini had been associated with a previous government accused of corruption.

Australian and New Zealander police officers assisted the local force to help restore law and order as protestors tore through the city’s Chinatown district (much of the violence was targeted at the minority Chinese community), looting and burning most shops and buildings. One of the biggest hotels in Honiara, the Pacific Casino, with a reputation as a meeting place for corrupt officials, was set on fire. Schools, shops, banks and offices all closed, while police imposed a dusk to dawn curfew. Snyder Rini resigned, faced with the prospect of a no confidence motion in Parliament, and Manasseh Sogavare was elected Prime Minister in his place. A Commonwealth Observer Group was present during the Solomon’s elections and in its recently released report, it recommended the establishment of a permanent and independent Electoral Commission, as well as a review of electoral legislation to enhance greater transparency.

Fiji Islands

In Fiji, elections were held over eight days starting 6 May. The elections were fought on ethnic lines with indigenous Fijians voting in large numbers for Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party led by Laisenia Qarase and Indo-Fijians rallying behind Fiji Labor Party (FLP) led by Mahendra Chaudhry, who was toppled in a coup in 2000. Following his narrow election win, Laisenia Qarase was sworn in as Prime Minister for a second term. The Prime Minister, as required by the existing constitution, invited the opposition to join the cabinet following which a multi- ethnic cabinet was sworn in. Elections were peaceful and largely free and fair although there were alleged administrative irregularities. Preliminary statements of the Commonwealth Observer Group were positive with the Chairperson, KD Knight, stating that elections were ‘credible’. They also stated the need to reform the Election Office as there had been complaints against the managers of this electoral process. The group also stated that their report would make recommendations concerning the ‘independence, powers and capacity of the Electoral Commission and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections; the voter registration process; voter education; the postal ballot; the electoral system; the results arrangements; and the financial rules’.

Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga is ruled by a hereditary monarch. However, in February, after months of protests to bring about political reform, Dr Fred Sevele was appointed the acting Prime Minister after the resignation of Prince Ulukalala Lavaka Ata. On 30 March, Sevele was officially appointed the Prime Minister of Tonga. The King has traditionally appointed the Prime Minister, based on their nobility, but in this case Dr. Fred Sevele is one of only a few politicians elected rather than appointed by the King. He is also the first non-aristocratic Tongan citizen to be appointed as the Prime Minister. His appointment heralds the beginning of a new era for democracy and political change in this tiny kingdom.