Excerpt from reuters.com
The Solomon Islands election, watched by China and the U.S. for its impact on regional security, is shaping up as a tight race with opposition parties gaining seats and independents holding the key to forming the next government.
Last week’s national election was the first since Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare struck a security pact with China in 2022, drawing the Pacific Islands nation closer to Beijing. The move concerned the U.S. and neighbouring Australia because of the potential impact on regional security.
Counting for several seats continued on Monday, as results showed the opposition CARE coalition drawing level with Sogavare’s OUR party on 12 seats in a 50-seat parliament.
Independents and micro parties took 16 seats, and the major parties will seek to win independent support in negotiations this week in the race to form government.
