LocationsStrengthening the capacity of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission and its Secretariat Office
July 19, 2022
SIEC and SECSIP staff witnessing the handing over of two boats and OBM engines with sea safety items by Kellie Raab, First Secretary Governance, Australian High Commission and Berdi Berdiyev, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager in Solomon Islands
Honiara, Solomon Islands – The UN Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Australian Government, continues to strengthen the capacity of Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and its Secretariat Office in the preparation for the Choiseul and Western Provincial Assembly Elections 2022, (PAE). The two organizations are also supporting SIEC with its preparations for the Biometric Voter Registration update for Choiseul and Western Province and the National General Election.
Given the geographical and population features of constituencies in Western and Choiseul Provinces, the Solomon Islands Electoral Office needs outboard motor boats (OBMs) to implement electoral operations. Thereby, UNDP, through its Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in the Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP III), and Australia handed over two OBM with two Boats and lifesaving gears1.
The OBM boats will generate significant savings for the Electoral Office as their staff travels to the Western province to train the temporary electoral officials and conduct voter awareness training for the upcoming Choiseul and Western Provincial Assembly Elections.
As part of this handover, the Electoral Office received PPE items, Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) stationery kits, IT equipment, and voter awareness materials etc.
Paddles.
Lifejackets.
Equipment at the handover.
Fredrick Bosoboe, Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner, expressed his gratitude for UNDP and Australia’s strong support over the years.
In handing over the boats, Ms. Kellie Raab, First Secretary at the Australian High Commission, noted the important role of provincial electoral offices and officers as focal points in supporting communities to prepare for the upcoming elections in 2022 and 2023. “Australia is proud of our long partnership with UNDP through SECSIP, which assists the Solomon Islands Electoral Office’s important work across the country.”
Echoing the same sentiments, UNDP Solomon Islands Country Manager, Mr. Berdi Berdiyev, reiterated the commitment to supporting the Solomon Islands Electoral Office’s efforts to conduct inclusive and transparent elections.
Handing over of Biometric Voter Registration stationary kits and other electoral materials by Kellie Raab, First Secretary – Governance, Australian High Commission and Berdi Berdiyev, Deputy Resident Representative/ Country Manager UNDP in Solomon Islands to Fredrick Bosoboe, SIEC CEO & Commissioner, witnessed by Deputy CEO-Christina Mitini and Advisor (Legal) Walter Rigamoto.
“Safety, security and access to Electoral Process in the remote islands requires efficiency of sea transport, and we are proud to partner with Australian Government in strengthening the electoral cycle and ensuring more and more people can participate in the upcoming elections.”
Mr. Berdiyev further emphasized the challenges Western and Choiseul provinces share “as geographical sparsity of the islands in Western and Choiseul remains a constant challenge, use of outboard motors and security equipment is a top priority for UNDP to support.”
This initiative is part of the Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP). SECSIP III is implemented by UNDP Solomon Islands with financial support from the Australian Government.
*Details:
1 two OBM (E60HMHDL YAMAHA) with two Boats (23 Feet, Yamaha Rayboat, W23SA) and lifesaving gears (16 life jackets, 4 telescope paddle, 221066, 2 anchor kit.
Contact information:
Anastasiia Tiurmenko, Communications Specialist, UNDP in Solomon Islands; email: anastasiia.tiurmenko@undp.org, tel: +677 747 2129 or WhatsApp: +38063 060 4210