Solomon Islands to Delay Election, Raising New Concerns
2022-09-09
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1Lawmakers in the Solomon Islands, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, voted Thursday to delay their nation's general election until 2024.
2The election had been planned for next year.
3Opposition members say the move could be an effort to seize power and some fear it could lead to more civil unrest.
4The seven-month delay required a constitutional amendment.
5Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the move was necessary.
6He said the nation is holding the Pacific Games sports event next year.
7Sogavare said holding an election at the same time would be too costly and difficult for the government.
8But opposition leader Matthew Wale told lawmakers that the move would cost people their right to vote in 2023.
9Wale said, "This bill is a result of a scheme by the prime minister to remain in power for longer than is necessary."
10He said Sogavare "has succeeded in making us the laughingstock of the region, as a country that is prepared to tamper with its constitution for a two-week event, against the clear wishes of its people."
11Opposition members also objected to the way the bill was quickly rushed through Parliament.
12It ignored the normal process that permits for public submissions.
13But Sogavare has more supporters in Parliament than his opponents.
14He was able to easily get the two-thirds majority he needed for a constitutional change.
15Sogavare said the delay would ensure a successful Pacific Games and did not change anything about how the election would run.
16He said, "The bill is basically to defer the dissolution of Parliament."
17Many people in the nation of 700,000 remain doubtful of Sogavare's reasons for the delay.
18Some worry it could result in more unrest.
19Last November, rioting erupted in the capital, Honiara.
20It began as a peaceful protest against the government's decision to change diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
21The protest later became violent.
22After the riots, three bodies were found in a burned-out building.
23The following month, Sogavare survived a vote that could have removed him from Parliament.
24Since then, Sogavare has moved to strengthen his nation's ties with China by signing a new security agreement.
25The deal has raised concerns among neighboring countries and others including the U.S.
26They fear the deal could lead to a military buildup in the area.
27But Western efforts this year to rebuild relationships with the Solomon Islands have not shown progress.
28Sogavare was notably not present at a memorial service in Honiara marking a big World War II battle.
29It was attended by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and other foreign officials.
30Then earlier this week, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her country had offered to pay for the Solomon Islands election to help keep it on time.
31Sogavare criticized the offer, accusing Australia of interfering.
32Sogavare said Wong's statement showed Australia was trying to influence lawmakers to vote against Thursday's constitutional amendment.
33He added it was an attack on the Solomon Islands' parliamentary democracy.
34And he said it was direct interference by a foreign government into the country's affairs.
35I'm Gregory Stachel.
1Lawmakers in the Solomon Islands, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, voted Thursday to delay their nation's general election until 2024. 2The election had been planned for next year. 3Opposition members say the move could be an effort to seize power and some fear it could lead to more civil unrest. 4The seven-month delay required a constitutional amendment. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the move was necessary. He said the nation is holding the Pacific Games sports event next year. Sogavare said holding an election at the same time would be too costly and difficult for the government. 5But opposition leader Matthew Wale told lawmakers that the move would cost people their right to vote in 2023. 6Wale said, "This bill is a result of a scheme by the prime minister to remain in power for longer than is necessary." 7He said Sogavare "has succeeded in making us the laughingstock of the region, as a country that is prepared to tamper with its constitution for a two-week event, against the clear wishes of its people." 8Opposition members also objected to the way the bill was quickly rushed through Parliament. It ignored the normal process that permits for public submissions. 9But Sogavare has more supporters in Parliament than his opponents. He was able to easily get the two-thirds majority he needed for a constitutional change. 10Sogavare said the delay would ensure a successful Pacific Games and did not change anything about how the election would run. 11He said, "The bill is basically to defer the dissolution of Parliament." 12Many people in the nation of 700,000 remain doubtful of Sogavare's reasons for the delay. Some worry it could result in more unrest. 13Last November, rioting erupted in the capital, Honiara. It began as a peaceful protest against the government's decision to change diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. The protest later became violent. After the riots, three bodies were found in a burned-out building. 14The following month, Sogavare survived a vote that could have removed him from Parliament. 15Since then, Sogavare has moved to strengthen his nation's ties with China by signing a new security agreement. The deal has raised concerns among neighboring countries and others including the U.S. They fear the deal could lead to a military buildup in the area. 16But Western efforts this year to rebuild relationships with the Solomon Islands have not shown progress. Sogavare was notably not present at a memorial service in Honiara marking a big World War II battle. It was attended by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and other foreign officials. 17Then earlier this week, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her country had offered to pay for the Solomon Islands election to help keep it on time. Sogavare criticized the offer, accusing Australia of interfering. 18Sogavare said Wong's statement showed Australia was trying to influence lawmakers to vote against Thursday's constitutional amendment. He added it was an attack on the Solomon Islands' parliamentary democracy. And he said it was direct interference by a foreign government into the country's affairs. 19I'm Gregory Stachel. 20Nick Perry reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 21________________________________________________________________________ 22Words in This Story 23scheme - n. a clever and often dishonest plan to do or get something 24laughingstock -n. a person or thing considered foolish 25region - n. a part of a country or the world that is different or separate from other parts in some way 26tamper - v. to change or touch (something) especially in a way that causes damage or harm 27submission - n. an act of giving a document, proposal, or piece of writing to someone so that it can be considered or approved 28defer - v. to choose to do (something) at a later time 29dissolution - n. the act of officially ending a marriage, organization, or agreement 30affairs -n. (pl.) work or activities done for business, public or personal purposes 31What do you think of Sogavare's actions? 32We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 33Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.