LocationsNew Election Operations Center in Solomon Islands
September 12, 2023
The facility, located within the SIEC’s premises in Honiara, marks a pivotal moment in the preparations for anticipated 2024 National General Elections.
Honiara, Solomon Islands - In a significant step toward ensuring a smooth electoral process in Solomon Islands, the Solomon Islands Election Commission (SIEC) officially inaugurated its Election Operations Center on Monday, 11 September 2023. The facility, located within the SIEC’s premises in Honiara, marks a pivotal moment in the preparations for anticipated 2024 National General Elections.
The Election Operations Center, constructed under the auspices of the UNDP Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP) with generous financial backing from the Australian Government, was unveiled during a handover ceremony. The event drew the participation of distinguished representatives from the SIEC, the Australian High Commission and UNDP, signifying the strong collaborative effort that made this facility possible.
In his address at the ceremony, Mr. Jasper Highwood Anisi, the Chief Electoral Officer and Election Commissioner thanked “the generous support from the Australian Government and UNDP to the Government and people of Solomon Islands,” emphasizing its impact at both he policy and structural levels.
Mr. Anisi acknowledged the significance of the upcoming elections, which will encompass both General and Provincial Elections, spanning over a thousand poll stations, 142 wards, and 50 constituencies. Recognizing the complexity of this undertaking, he emphasized the pivotal role the newly established Operations Center would play in facilitating the seamless flow of information, data collection, and analysis, crucially driven by field officials.
Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner, Jasper Highwood Anisi.
The new Election Operations Center will indeed serve to enhance coordination between field operations and the SIEC headquarters. It will serve as a centralized hub for collecting and reporting field data to the Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO). Beyond logistical facilitation, the SEOC will empower the Senior Management Team and the Commission at large to make well-informed decisions.
By providing real-time insights and prompt reporting on key activities, the SEOC will help facilitate effective decision-making and communication strategies. Led by the Chief Electoral Officer, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, and the Operation Manager, along with operation staff, the SEOC will accommodate four field officers and a Royal Solomon Islands Police officer within its workspace.
Australian High Commissioner, H. E. Rod Hilton, conveyed “Australia's pride for this long-standing partnership with UNDP on the important work on elections in Solomon Islands.” He emphasized the shared commitment to democracy and the pivotal role it plays in the nation’s security and prosperity. Mr. Hilton also highlighted Australia’s consistent support for national elections over the past two decades, including a decade-long partnership with UNDP through the Strengthening the Electoral Cycle Project.
Australian High Commissioner, Rod Hilton, during the handover ceremony.
The Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP), a flagship project of UNDP in Solomon Islands, was established in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) in 2013. Its primary goal is to bolster the sustainability and credibility of electoral processes through support to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC).
As Michael Burke, UNDP’s Chief Technical Advisor and Program Manager, summarized: “Since its inception in 2013, UNDP’s SECSIP project has played a pivotal role in bolstering electoral institutions, including the Election Commission and its Offices, as well as the Political Party Commission and its Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. During this time, SECSIP has provided technical assistance, supplied logistical support and upgraded the facilities of these organizations with many projects such as this operation center we open today.”
UNDP´s Chief Technical Advisor and Program Manager, Michael Burke.
SECSIP is currently in Phase III and continues to receive financial support from the Government of Australia and UNDP. It primarily focuses on four priority outputs areas:
Output 1: Strengthening the institutional and operational capacities of electoral authorities .
Output 2: Enhancing the capacity of national authorities and local networks to provide inclusive voter information and awareness, as well as facilitate civic engagement.
Output 3: Reviewing and reforming the legal electoral framework
Output 4: Strengthening women’s political participation and leadership.
For more information or media inquiries please contact:
Daniel Gonzalez, Communications Specialist, UNDP Solomon Islands Office, daniel.calderon.gonzalez@undp.org +677 7740 740/ +34 656560270
