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Solomon Islanders vote in first post-Ramsi election Solomon Islanders vote in first post-Ramsi election
(about 7 hours later)
People in the Solomon Islands are going to the polls in the first parliamentary elections since an Australian-led military peacekeeping mission ended. People in the Solomon Islands have voted in the first parliamentary elections since an Australian-led military peacekeeping mission ended.
Some 280,000 voters are registered, with polls open from 07:00 local time (20:00 GMT Tuesday) until 17:00.Some 280,000 voters are registered, with polls open from 07:00 local time (20:00 GMT Tuesday) until 17:00.
The Pacific nation experienced more than a decade of ethnic violence, but has stabilised in recent years.The Pacific nation experienced more than a decade of ethnic violence, but has stabilised in recent years.
More than 1,000 police have been deployed but there were no reports of unrest during early voting. More than 1,000 police have been deployed but there were no reports of unrest during voting.
Voters began queuing in the capital, Honiara, in the early hours of the morning.Voters began queuing in the capital, Honiara, in the early hours of the morning.
Hundreds of candidates - both independents and members of the 12 registered political parties - are running for 50 seats in parliament.Hundreds of candidates - both independents and members of the 12 registered political parties - are running for 50 seats in parliament.
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who has been in power since 2011, is expected to remain in office. Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who has been in power since 2011, is expected to remain in office. The counting of ballots is expected to take several days.
The election is being overseen by a Commonwealth observer mission, including three Australian MPs.The election is being overseen by a Commonwealth observer mission, including three Australian MPs.
Extra Ramsi supportExtra Ramsi support
Ethnic violence and lawlessness between 1998 and 2003 saw tens of thousands lose their homes.Ethnic violence and lawlessness between 1998 and 2003 saw tens of thousands lose their homes.
The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (Ramsi) - headed by Australia but made up of troops from 15 regional nations - was deployed in 2003 to restore law and order.The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (Ramsi) - headed by Australia but made up of troops from 15 regional nations - was deployed in 2003 to restore law and order.
Though there was a further outbreak of violence in 2006 and recurrent political instability and lawlessness, the country was considered stable enough for the military part of the mission to end last year.Though there was a further outbreak of violence in 2006 and recurrent political instability and lawlessness, the country was considered stable enough for the military part of the mission to end last year.
Ramsi now operates a policing operation, alongside the Solomons' domestic police force.Ramsi now operates a policing operation, alongside the Solomons' domestic police force.
About 90 extra Ramsi officers have been deployed for the elections, but mission co-ordinator Justine Braithwaite said they were only there to support local police.About 90 extra Ramsi officers have been deployed for the elections, but mission co-ordinator Justine Braithwaite said they were only there to support local police.
"The bulk of the force has been recruited since the tension era which means you have got about 70% of the force's officers still relatively new," AFP news agency quoted her as saying."The bulk of the force has been recruited since the tension era which means you have got about 70% of the force's officers still relatively new," AFP news agency quoted her as saying.
The Solomon Islands, a former British protectorate, has been hit by successive global food, fuel and financial crises and is one of the Pacific's poorest countries.The Solomon Islands, a former British protectorate, has been hit by successive global food, fuel and financial crises and is one of the Pacific's poorest countries.