Severe penalties underlined in Solomons election lead-up

Electoral authorities in the Solomon Islands are reminding voters and intending candidates of severe penalties under the country’s new electoral law.

For major offences like election bribery and fraudulent voting the penalties include up to 15 years imprisonment and/or fines of over $US19,000, as well as an automatic five year ban on voting or standing in elections. Lesser offences such as providing misleading information can still land offenders in jail for five years and possibly steep fines. Thousands of people have been lining up at voter registration booths throughout the country this month as it prepares for elections next year.