According to a press release from the Australian Foreign Minister's Office on April 16, the country is supporting the Solomon Islands in conducting its general election, scheduled for April 17.
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| On April 17, the people of the Solomon Islands will enter a historic election. (Source: AP) |
Through a $25 million (US$16 million) support package, Australia will support Solomon Islands with logistics and voter registration, training of election officials, voter awareness initiatives, election observers and the deployment of additional Australian police and defence personnel.
The 2024 election is historic for the Solomon Islands as it is the first time that the National, Provincial and Honiara Municipal Council elections will be held on the same day, the statement said.
Australia’s support to the Solomon Islands in its electoral management builds on Australia’s long-standing collaboration with the Pacific Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) to strengthen electoral cycles, improve electoral management and promote women’s participation in the political process.
At the invitation of the Solomon Islands government, Australia is deploying additional Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to help deliver safe and secure elections.
As part of the Solomon International Support Force (SIAF), the AFP is working with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force along with partners from Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Meanwhile, the ADF will work alongside the New Zealand Defence Force to provide logistics and support.
Also related to the election in the Solomon Islands, on April 15, when asked by reporters to give China's assessment, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that Beijing always adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and supports the people of the Solomon Islands to independently choose a development path suitable to their national conditions.
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