Why does the election matter?
This election is the nation’s first since Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing soon after assuming the role in 2019.
“The reason the world is really focused on this is the switch to China and Prime Minister Sogavare’s Look North policy, which has opened the door to China to increase its presence in the region,” said Dr Meg Keen, director of the Pacific Islands programme at Australia-based think tank Lowy Institute.
“So we’re seeing a very different security and development dynamic that is emerging. Solomon Islands is where China has the strongest foothold in the region.”
Solomon Islands sits on vital sea lanes between the United States and Australia.
“If there was a conflict in the South China Sea, these would be very important supply chains into the region,” Dr Keen told CNA’s Asia Now on Wednesday.
“Also, this has been an area where Australia, in particular, has been the primary security and development partner and wants to maintain that position. This is its neighbourhood.
“For China, they’re trying to win support for their One China policy. They want global access and there (are) some very valuable assets and resources like fisheries and minerals in this region,” she added.
Meanwhile, the US has sought to re-engage the Solomon Islands, from investing in its development to setting up an embassy in Honiara.
Solomon Islands has now found itself “in a sticky situation”, Dr Keen added.
“Solomon Islands is balancing multiple opportunities, and with that also having to balance its commitment to democracy, openness, media freedom, and other elements that are really important to the people.”
The high-stakes election is one of the most logistically challenging ballots in the world, involving 420,000 registered voters casting their votes at 1,200 polling stations spread across 900 islands.
It was delayed from 2023, until after the Pacific Games were hosted in stadiums donated by China.
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission had earlier urged voters to keep their vote secret and avoid vote-buying, which was a widespread practice in past elections.
