Thirty six former MPs have retained their seat in Parliament.

The list includes former Ministers of the Lilo led government and key figures of the opposition bench, which includes Manasseh Sogavare, Mathew Wale, Bodo Dettke and Douglas Ete.

Solomon Islands academic, Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka, told the national broadcaster, SIBC, that since the retention rate is quite high, "people are perhaps satisfied with how former MPs had performed."

“The other explanation is probably because discretionary funds were released very closely to the date of the elections, which influenced the electoral process and outcome.

“So the amount and timing of the release of such funds is quite important in influencing outcomes.”

Another observation made by Dr Kabutaulaka was on the process of government formation.

“The high percentage of independents means there will be many free agents in the formation of government, so it will be a process that Solomon Islanders will not be part of, it will be these MPs and lobbyists with their own interests.”