The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission says voting at yesterday's Savo-Russells bye-election was conducted in a fair and orderly manner.

The ten polling stations on Russells and five polling stations on Savo opened at 7am for voters to cast their votes.

Chief Electoral Officer, Polycarp Haununu says after the polling stations closed for voting at 5pm yesterday, arrangements were in place for polling officials and police officers to collect ballot boxes from all 15 polling stations as quickly and efficiently as possible and take them to the counting station in Honiara.

He says the Returning Officer and the Electoral Commission will then decide when the counting of the votes begin.

The counting of ballot papers will be observed by candidate agents and independent observers.

Police will be on standby to make sure the count is also conducted in an orderly manner.

Mr Haununu says the count will take some time as it is vital to make sure the process is credible.

SIBC News understands, the counting of ballot papers is expected to take place tomorrow at the Rove Police Club.