18 suspects arrested in Western related to election results  

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have arrested 18 suspects in relation to election results in Western Province.

From the 18, 10 suspects were arrested at Aleang village in Shortland Islands on 21 April 2024 while the other eight at Maravari village in South Vela La Vela on 22 April 2024.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Operations, Ms. Junanita Matanga said these were election related with those on the losing side were not happy with the result by taking the law in their own hands.

Matanga confirmed police investigators are investigating the matters and the suspects were bailed to appear in Gizo Magistrates’ Court on a later date.

She urges people to accept the result of the election. 

“Anyone who wins this joint election will represent us. Do not try to and involve in an action cause difference between each other,” she said.

Matanga said: “We are loving family members. Those election results will come and go but we as family members will remain and stay in our communities.”