by-election A by-election, also known as a special election in the United States and the Philippines, a bye-election in Ireland, a bypoll in India, or a Zimni election (Urdu: ضمنی انتخاب, supplementary election) in Pakistan, is an election used to f ...

was held in the

East ꞌAreꞌare constituency East ꞌAreꞌare is a single-member constituency of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands. Established in 1976 when the Legislative Assembly was expanded from 24 to 38 seats, it is located on the island of Malaita Malaita is the primar ...

in the

Solomon Islands Solomon Islands is an island country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and north-west of Vanuatu. It has a land area of , and a population of approx. 700,000. Its capita ...

on 1 August 2012. It was initially scheduled for the month of March, then delayed."By-election for two seats ready to go"
, ''Solomon Star'', 9 February 2012 In the August 2010 general election, the seat was won by Andrew Hanaria, of the

People's Congress Party The People's Congress Party is a political party in Solomon Islands. It was founded by outgoing deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono during the campaign for the 2010 general election. Upon first announcing the priorities of the party, Fono stated its f ...

; he entered Parliament for the first time. He was appointed Minister for Aviation and Communication by new Prime Minister

Danny Philip Danny Philip (born 5 August 1953) is a politician and diplomat from Solomon Islands. He was Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from 2010 to 2011. Previously he served as Foreign minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996 and again fro ...

. His election was voided by the High Court on 7 December 2011, as he was found to have bribed voters in his constituency with cash and material goods before the election. He will not be permitted to stand in the by-election. Sir

Peter Kenilorea Sir Peter Kenilorea KBE (23 May 1943 – 24 February 2016) was a Solomon Islander politician, officially styled The Rt Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. He was the first Prime Minister of an indepe ...

, who led the country during its period of transition to independence from the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

in 1978, announced his intention to stand in the by-election. (He served as Chief Minister then Prime Minister from 1976 to 1981, and from 1984 to 1986, before retiring from active politics in 1991, and returning as

Speaker of Parliament The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England. Usage The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hungerfo ...

from 2001 to 2005.) In early April 2012, the by-election having not yet been held, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs

Manasseh Maelanga Manasseh Maelanga (born March 25, 1970) is a member of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands. He represents East Malaita constituency. In May 2009, he was named Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening in Prime ...

explained that there was legal uncertainty as to whether Hanaria could stand as a candidate. This was also affecting the scheduled by-election in North Malaita, in which MP

Jimmy Lusibaea Jimmy Lusibaea (born 7 July 1970), also known as Jimmy "Rasta", is a Solomon Islands politician. He was born in Malu'u, Malaita Province.

had lost his seat upon conviction for assault and grievous bodily harm, for events committed a decade earlier, but was seeking to stand for reelection. Maelanga stated that legal advice was being sought from the Attorney General, who was abroad, before a date for the two by-elections could be set. On 20 June, a date was finally announced for the by-election: 1 August."By-Election Day Declared"
, ''Solomon Star'', 20 June 2012 The four candidates were as follows. Andrew Manepora'a, an economist and head of the anti-money laundering unit of the

Central Bank of Solomon Islands The Central Bank of Solomon Islands is the central bank of the Solomon Islands located in capital city of Honiara. The Bank was established in February 1983 under the ''Central Bank of Solomon Islands Act 1976''. The current governor is Dr. Luke ...

, won the seat by a comfortable margin; Sir Peter Kenilorea came third. The full results are as follows:"Governor General Congratulates New Parlimentarians"
''Solomon Times'', 7 August 2012

References

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2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...

2012 in the Solomon Islands

See also

References