Breaking - SIBC reporting that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has retained his seat of East Choiseul, despite a spirited challenge by David Qurusu

Very sad there are people in this world who are NOT spending their Friday evening trying to remotely monitor vote counting in the seat of East Choiseul, what on earth is wrong with you all kindly examine your life choices

Farewell Honiara - it feels slightly like I’m leaving just as the vote count gets interesting but the ABC’s brilliant ⁦Chrisnrita Aumanu- Leong⁩ is (as ever) poised to bring you all the latest on the results as they flow in

Latest on Solomon Islands election: Suidani regains his provincial seat, all eyes now on Manasseh Sogavare’s constituency of East Choiseul with a result expected later today or tomorrow abc.net.au/news/2024-04-1…

Richard Clark on China-FSM ties in the wake of Simina’s visit to Beijing thediplomat.com/2024/04/the-tr…

All credit to Solomon Islands Election Commission staff in their dealings with media. Open, transparent, friendly and helpful. Committed to letting us do our jobs. Full access given freely and never grudgingly. Many could learn from them! Tagio Tumas

Global Times on Solomon Islands election, citing “colour revolution” and Chen Hong: not exactly a staggeringly unpredictable combination

Ballots in Honiara, ready be counted

The rather large blue fence which was put up around the Chinese Embassy ahead of elections today. (Incidentally, Chinese police liaison teams haven’t been providing security today during the election- RSIPF directive says they will “not undertake any operational deployment”)

Manasseh Sogavare casts his vote in his constituency as Solomon Islands holds elections: photo courtesy of SIBC and Alex Dadamu

Honiara election scenes. Pics by the excellent Adam Kennedy

Latest gossint:
- Sogavare *is* facing a stiff challenge in East Choisuel (SDA/Methodist dynamic interesting) but should still hold?
- GDL reportedly looking good in Central Honiara
- Very mixed predictions re strength of OUR Party vote. Maybe pulling back some ground in Malaita?

Slightly soggy back in central Honiara as long queues form at polling stations

Voters head to the polls across Solomon Islands. So what’s going to happen today, and over the coming weeks? How long until a new government forms? What are the chances of Sogavare being re-elected? Known knowns, known unknowns, unknown unknowns
abc.net.au/news/2024-04-1…

Election Day in Solomon Islands! Voters lining up in Honiara

Have gleaned following in Honiara:
- Sogavare absolutely going to win East Choiseul again
- Sogavare almost certain to lose East Choiseul
- GDL to win Honiara Central
- GDL to lose Honiara Central
- OUR to snaffle 23+ seats
- OUR lucky to get 14 seats
- Manele through the middle?

Honiara gossip mill goes brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr