1980 Solomon Islands general election

General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 6 August 1980.[1] They were the first since independence has been achieved two years earlier. The Solomon Islands United Party led by Prime Minister Peter Kenilorea emerged as the largest party, winning 16 of the 38 seats. Following the elections, Kenilorea was re-elected Prime Minister.[2]

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Campaign

A total of 244 candidates contested the 38 seats.[3]

Results

Around two-thirds of incumbent MPs lost their seats.[3]

Party Votes % Seats
Solomon Islands United Party10,43718.016
People's Alliance Party9.08515.710
National Democratic Party4,8788.42
Independents33,26457.610
Invalid/blank votes––
Total57,66410038
Registered voters/turnout99,843–
Source: Nohlen et al.

The election result in West Honiara was annulled by the Electoral Commission after the High Court ruled that the winning candidate Ben Gale had committed electoral offices.[4] The by-election was held in August 1981 and was won by Gordon Billy Gatu of the National Democratic Party who received 681 votes to the 290 for Frank Saemala of the SIUP and 245 for Lilly Ogatina Poznanski, who ran as an independent.[5]

Aftermath

Following the elections Kenilorea was re-elected Prime Minister, defeating People's Alliance Party leader Solomon Mamaloni by 25 votes to 5. He formed a government with the support of a group of independents led by Francis Billy Hilly, who became Deputy Prime Minister.[6]

Position Member Party
Prime MinisterPeter KeniloreaSolomon Islands United Party
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Health		Francis Billy HillyIndependent
Minister of Agriculture and LandsWaeta BenIndependent
Minister of EducationGeoffrey BetiIndependent
Minister of FinanceBenedict KinikaSolomon Islands United Party
Minister of Home AffairsPhilip KapiniIndependent
Minister of Law and InformationLawry WickhamIndependent
Minister of Natural ResourcesPaul TovuaSolomon Islands United Party
Minister of Trade, Industry and LabourPulepada GhemuSolomon Islands United Party
Minister of Transport and CommunicationsMoffat BonungaSolomon Islands United Party
Minister of Works and Public UtilitiesTony HarihiruSolomon Islands United Party
Minister of Youth and Cultural AffairsDenis LuleiIndependent

References
  1. Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p801 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
  2. Solomon Islands Inter-Parliamentary Union
  3. Solomon Islands voters tip 'em out Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1980, p9
  4. New poll ordered in Honiara Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1981, p6
  5. Loser wins in Honiara by-election Pacific Islands Monthly, July 1981, p6
  6. Kenilorea back with new ministry Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1980, p5
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