Solomons vote counting gets off to quiet start

HONIARA - Counting of votes in the Solomon Islands election started yesterday after an incident free poll in the troubled South Pacific nation, but security concerns saw one counting centre moved closer to a police station.

The election saw a high voter turnout, said Government spokesman Johnson Honimae, with people travelling by boat, motorised canoe and on foot from remote villagers to cast ballots.
A total of 453 candidates from 13 parties contested 50 seats. Electoral officials say it could take up to 10 days for a final count, due to the remoteness of polling stations. The furthest electorate is a 2-hour flight and three-day boat trip away.

- REUTERS