What's Up?

What's happening?
The political stand-off between Honiara and Canberra drags on.

It seems none of the parties is giving in. The Solomon Islands government had made an offer to release suspended Attorney General Julian Moti to be dealt with in Australia, but with conditions attached. But Australia has said it wants to deal with Moti its way with no conditions included. There seems to be a deadlock.

How long can Solomon Islands' government stand its ground? Various authorities including the Central Bank have sounded warning that unless the situation is resolved the country's economy will go from bad to worse. Yes, those who will suffer more are the thousands of people living in the villages. It would of have adverse medium and long term effects on the economy. Does the government have a saviour besides the traditional friends and donors?

There were suggestions that Taiwan would come to the aid of Solomon Islands and send troops to replace the Australian component in RAMSI. The fact is that there will be no RAMSI without Australia.

My reading of the situation is that, while Taiwan may offer help such as troops, it cannot do so without the okay from Uncle Sam(US) and its close allies, UK, Australia and New Zealand. The Pacific is under the sphere of influence of the traditional friends, and Australia is the big brother in the region. This alliance and EU are major development partners in Solomon Islands. It would be unthinkable for the government to go against such block. The fate of the government may depends on how soon it settles the issue with Australia.

Provincial Elections
Preparations for provincial elections continue. Various provincial government have already expressed concern over the non availability of funds for them to do their work. Let's hope there is money available for the government to provide for the election work.

Central Province
Fifty seven people have been nominated to contest the ten seats in the Central provincial Assembly.

This include 34 for Gela, 16 for Russells and 7 for the two wards on Savo Island. Returning officer for Central Province's election Michael Salini says the highest contested ward on Gela is the South Gela ward with nine candidates and the least is Sandfly and Buena Vista ward with four candidates. In the Russell Islands the highest contested ward is Banika ward with seven candidates and the least contested is Lavukal with four candidates.

Below are the candidates contesting the 11 Central Provincial Assembly elections on 5th December.

Florida(Gela Islands) - 5 Wards
Sandfly/Buenvesta - 4 candidates - Patteson Mae, Michael Kwali, Charles Fox Meke and James Vaukei.
Central Gela - 6 candidates -- Charles Gisa, Robet Kande(C), Lonsdale Meta, John Max Vili, Misack Kauri and Thomas Tome.
South Gela -- 7 candidates -- James Manebone, Simon Peter Teva, Christian Gitosi, John Smith Tokasi, Stewart Tiva, Daniel A Paobolo and John Visivisi, Mathew Tagavu and Bernard Hoatia.
North Gela -- 8 candidates -- Fr John Talisi, Simon Teva(C), John Wale, Fredrick Samora, John Fredrick M, Charles P Dolo, Polycarp Galeigo and John Kunu.
Tulagi -- 7 candidates -- Alphonsus Selofae, Denis Rukale, Charles Kunu, Henry Rodney Talasasa, Ezekiel Alalo, Mathew Sale and Peter Manu.

Savo Island - 2 Wards
North Savo - 4 candidates -- Stanley Manetiva, John Bea, William Paga and Robert Kemakeza.
South Savo - 3 cadidates -- Patrick Vasuni(C), John Ngina and Francis Soni Moa.

Russell Islands - 3 Wards
Banika - 7 canadiates -- Reginald Kokili, Ronnie Tiute, Joseph Leo, Wesley Vilialo, Noel Hulanga, Raxston Diua and Jack Sitea.
Pavuvu - 5 candidates - Reginald Rangi, Mike Vaka Kaani(C), Paul Puia, Eddie Taranga and Michael Arova.
Lavuka - 4 candidates -- Robert Liva, Andrew Gesu, Haridi Augustine Rose and Simon Liva Gaetevem.

Nominations Open
Nominations for Malaita(Wards 6 to 33 )and Temotu(Wards 13 to 16)
Below are some key dates of the elections
November
13 Nominations open
20 Nominations close 4.00 p.m.
December
04 Withdrawal of nominations by Candidates not later than 4.00 p.m.
18 Election Day

Nominations Close
Nominations for Guadalcanal, Malaita(Wards 1 to 5) and Temotu(Wards 1 to 12)
Below are some key dates of the elections
November
08 Nominations open
14 Nominations to be received not later than 4.00 p.m.
28 Withdrawal of nominations by Candidates not later than 4.00 p.m.
December
12 Election Day

That's it for now.