Solomon Islands votes to delay election as opposition cries foul

The Solomon Islands parliament has passed a bill to delay the next general election, despite the objections of opposition party members who had accused Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of a “power grab”.
The bill, which passed on Thursday with 37 votes in favour to 10 against, changes the constitution to allow the next general election to be delayed until 2024 from 2023. Two politicians were absent.
Sogavare argued that the Solomons could not successfully host both the Pacific Games and an election in 2023 because of logistical requirements.
He previously argued that it would be too costly to hold the regional athletics meeting – for which China is building seven venues and stadiums – and a general election in the same year.

Al Jazeera’s Sarah Clarke reports.

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