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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 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 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. 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 support | Extra 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. |
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