Today is polling day for Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal constituencies. All the polling stations were open since 7am this morning and will close at 5pm.
Today has also been declared a public holiday by the Minister of Home Affairs, as such businesses that are located within the boundaries of these two constituencies may observe this day as public holiday.
The Electoral Commission reminds business houses that Section 116 of the Electoral Act 2018 provides for employers to release employees to exercise their civic duty and vote. Failure to allow employees to vote is an election offence.
They say failure to release employees is an election offense and attracts a penalty of 10,000 dollars fine.
Former Central Honiara MP John Moffat Fugui and former Northeast Guadalcanal MP Jamie Vokia both lost their seats after they were found guilty of bribery by the High Court. Both Fugui and Vokia were members of the current ruling government.