BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THREE hundred and three (303) people from the Western province are ready to man the 101 polling stations within the 26 wards in the province.

Eligible voters will go to the polls tomorrow to elect new members of the provincial assembly.

The total number of candidates contesting this year’s provincial elections is 139. The initial list was 144 candidates.

Among the 139 confirmed candidates are five female.

Speaking in an interview with Western province returning officer, Mr Hopeful Piosasa, he said these officials will head out to their assigned polling stations today in preparation for tomorrow’s polling day.

He said 202 polling officials and 101 presiding officers completed a one-day intensive training in Gizo last week.

Piosasa said the training covered voting aspects including procedures and processes and responsibilities as managers of polling stations.

“This year provincial election is the same as the 2014 provincial election, except, not all provinces go to poll but only Western and Choiseul.

“101 polling stations within the 26 ward in the province will open at 7am and closes 5pm.

“Voters are being urged to get to the polling station within this time.”

He explained that voters are required to tick only one box against the candidate of their choice.

Piosasa added that counting stations will only be at Seghe, Noro and Gizo. For Marovo wards, the counting will be based at Seghe, for New Georgia it will be based at Noro and for Kolombangara, Vella, Simbo, Ranonga, Vonavona and Shortland Islands they will be announced at Gizo.

Security will be tightened as police presence will be boosted with the deployment of additional police officers to the Western province.

Supporters of the contending candidates have been urged to maintain respect and peace and continue to observe election laws.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has expressed his deep interest to include Solomon Islands in the semi-skilled labour on a 3-year visa.

This was stated when holding discussions with Management of Nutrano Abbotsleigh Farm and GraceKate Farms during his first two days of his State Visit to Australia.

He also took the opportunity to meet and talk to Solomon Islanders who are working under the Seasonal Workers Programme.

Speaking to the management of the two companies, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude towards the companies for their business and commitment in bringing Solomon Islands workers to work in Australia and expressed that the Solomon Islands is committed to the SWP and further acknowledge Australia’s Government’s support for the programme.

Houenipwela also stated that the Government is keen to facilitate more workers to enter the Australian labour market, and would to like to open the Scheme to include semi-skilled and skilled workers.

Speaking to the workers, the Prime Minister acknowledged the experience the workers have gained while in Australia and commended them for their positive attitude towards their work.

He further thanked the workers for flying their country’s national flag with their great work ethics resulting in good commendations from their employers.

“This builds trust and confidence in our people and open more doors for more workers to join the programme,” he said.

Houenipwela further advised the workers to be of good standing, refrain from alcohol, and ensure the spirit of family is maintained and respect for each other is preserved.

The Prime Minister also took time to hear the workers about their views on areas the Government can do in enhancing the seasonal workers programme.

–OPMC PRESS

THE Provincial Police Commander Western Province, Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu calls on the people in the Western Province to observe law and order as they go to the polls to elect new members of the Western Provincial Assembly tomorrow.

“I want to call on the people of Western Province to exercise your democratic rights in a respectful and peaceful way.

“Respect each other, supporters and the candidates. And I further call on people to accept whatever the outcome of the election.

“All alcohol outlets will be closed as liquor will be banned from June 13 to 14, 2018 across Western Province and all alcohol related issues will not be tolerated.

“Police officers will be posted at all the 101 polling stations to ensure that the event will be crime free to allow the more than 77,000 registered voters to exercise their democratic right to vote without any threats to their livelihood.

“I also want to encourage community leaders and elders, church leaders, women, youth and children to work together with police officers in the days leading up to the election, on the actual day of the election and after the election.

“I also want to urge the supporters of the winning candidates after the provincial assembly election to celebrate in a responsible manner.”

–POLICE MEDIA

THE Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria calls for a crime-free provincial assembly election tomorrow.

“I want to call on the people of Choiseul Province to exercise your democratic rights in a respectful and peaceful manner. Respect each other, supporters and the candidates. And I further call on people to respect the outcome of the provincial election,” says PPC Eria.

“All alcohol outlets will be closed as liquor will be banned on June 13 – 14, 2018 across Choiseul Province and all alcohol related issues will not be tolerated.

“I appeal to the licence holders to respect the Order from the Choiseul provincial government.

“I also want to emphasise here that chiefs, community leaders and elders, church leaders, crime prevention committees, women, youth and children to work together with police officers and the officers of the Electoral Commission to ensure the day is a success.

“Police officers will be posted at all the polling stations throughout the province to ensure that the event will be crime free so that the registered voters will exercise their democratic right to vote without fear or unnecessary influence.

“I urge all of us to work together to make this provincial assembly election a peaceful and crime-free one for the people of Choiseul province.”

–POLICE MEDIA

POLICE at Tulagi in the Central province have arrested and charged a 51-year-old man from Tangare settlement near Hagalu Village in Big Ngella on June 2, 2018 for several counts of alleged rape.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “The alleged rape incident happened between May 9 and June 2, 2018.

“The suspect allegedly lied to the victim that he already returned her $8,000 cash and that he was at his home village in Big Ngella.

“The victim was advised to follow the suspect to his home village so that she could get her money from him.

“Upon arrival she was allegedly detained in the bush between May 9 and June 2, 2018.

“The arrest of the alleged suspect was made possible following the assistance of his relatives at Halavo Village.

“I wish to sincerely thank all my good people of Halavo, Hagalu and Hae Villages for their support in searching for the suspect.

“I wish to thank the relatives of the victim for their understanding by not taking the law into their own hands.

“I wish to remind women and girls to take extra precaution and not to be easily convinced by men who have other motives.

“My good people of Solomon Islands, let us all work together to protect our women and girls from men who do not respect the female members of our communities,” says PPC Leta.

–POLICE MEDIA

POLICE in Kirakira in the Makira-Ulawa province have arrested and charged six teenagers for multiple crimes on June 5, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander(PPC), Makira-Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “The youths were charged for allegations of malicious damage, intimidation, going armed in public, criminal trespass, house break-in and restriction of making liquor.

“The alleged suspects will appear in the Kirakira Magistrates’ Court on 19 June 2018 for their plea.

“The alleged charges follow an incident at Pirupiru Community High School on Ulawa Island in Makira on May 28, 2018.

“These youth allegedly trespassed into the school compound and allegedly damaged school properties and threatened the students and staff with bush knives.

“The situation prompted staff and parents to close the school earlier than expected.

“I wish to commend the public for their understanding and the help offered to my officers when they arrived on Ulawa to apprehend the suspects.

“I appeal to parents and village leaders to continue to talk with our young people that such behaviour is unacceptable within our communities and that police will take stern action against anyone who disturbs the peace within our communities especially within a public institution such as our schools.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PUBLIC are still shaken over the weekend discovery of a dumped body of a newborn infant at the Randi dumpsite.

Photos of the body has gone viral on social media.

The discovery has led to call for search on the people responsible, condemning the action as murder being very cruel.

Some say that it is not possible for anyone somewhere who would not know a pregnant woman for nine months having a belly bump being reduced just by Friday last week. To add, not seeing the baby as expected.

According to report from Solomon Business Magazine (SBM) Online, an eye-witness described the baby looked very fresh and could have been dumped at the site over night. The deceased baby was believed to be wrapped with a cloth before being dumped.

“One of the persons who sighted the dead-baby described the shocking discovery as cruel after seeing the dead baby lie helplessly in the rubbish at Ranandi,” posted SBM.

The photo of the deceased baby having gone viral raises huge heartache to viewers calling for the police to step in and investigate.

“Justice must be served to both the male and female for their actions,” said a comment.

In response to query yesterday, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Media Unit said they have not yet received any update from their colleagues along the Eastern Direction of Honiara.

POLICE in Kirakira in the Makira-Ulawa province have arrested and charged three men in their 30s for allegedly stealing chainsaws at the Na’ana Elite logging camp in East Makira recently.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Makira-Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “The alleged incident occurred on May 22, 2018 Ward 14 in the East Makira constituency.

“The three chainsaws were allegedly stolen by the alleged suspects from a storage cargo container.

“The suspects were charged for alleged simple larceny (stealing) and have been remanded at Kirakira Correctional Centre as police continue to investigate the incident.

“Obtaining any property without the prior consent of the owner is a crime and police will not tolerate this type of behaviour.

“It is the law and police will make sure any person implicated will be prosecuted.

“I commend the public for its initial support leading to the arrest of the three suspects and I further appeal for those who may have further information on the incident to come forward and assist the police investigations.”

Police at Kirakira can be conducted on phones 50299 and 50266 or call the Police National Communication Centre on phone 23666 or the police toll free line 999.

–POLICE MEDIA