The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has confirmed that the recent National General Elections recorded the highest ever voter turnout, with 89.93% of all registered voters casting their ballot. “This is a great success for the SIEC and for our country as a whole,” Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu said. “I would like to acknowledge everyone who made the effort to get to their polling station on Election Day and exercise their democratic right.” In the 2010 National General Election, voter turnout was just 52.4%, though the Commission says that figure does not take into account the large number of multiple registrations and deceased persons that were on the roll prior to the introduction of Biometric Voter Registration. The SIEC says the voter turnout figure compares favourably with other countries in the region. “In the Fijian National Election earlier this year, voter turnout was 83.97%and in the New Zealand National Election turnout was 78.96%,” Mr Haununu said.
“The high turnout is particularly pleasing, following the success of the new Biometric Voter Registration system.”
The SIEC has previously revealed estimates that approximately 85% of all eligible voters registered during the BVR period
“It is difficult to say exactly what percentage of eligible voters registered because accurate data about the number of eligible voters is not available. Using census data and with the assistance of the National Statistic Office, we believe it is around 85%,” Mr Haununu said.
Full Article: Record Voter Turnout in Solomon Islands Elections: SIEC – Solomon Times Online.
