General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 6 August 1980. They were the first since independence has been achieved two years earlier. The

Solomon Islands United Party The Solomon Islands United Party (UP) is a political party in Solomon Islands. History The party was established in March 1980 by Prime Minister Peter Kenilorea, and was based on the government he had led since 1978.Haruhiro Fukui (1985) ''Pol ...

led by Prime Minister

Peter Kenilorea Sir Peter Kenilorea (23 May 1943 – 24 February 2016) was a Solomon Islander politician, officially styled The Rt Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. He was the first prime minister of an independ ...

emerged as the largest party, winning 16 of the 38 seats. Following the elections, Kenilorea was re-elected Prime Minister.

Campaign

A total of 241 candidates contested the 38 seats.

Results

Around two-thirds of incumbent MPs lost their seats.Solomon Islands voters tip 'em out
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', September 1980, p9 The election result in West Honiara was annulled by the Electoral Commission after the High Court ruled that the winning candidate Ben Gale had committed electoral offences. The by-election was held in August 1981 and was won by Gordon Billy Gatu of the National Democratic Party who received 681 votes to the 290 for Frank Saemala of the SIUP and 245 for Lilly Ogatina Poznanski, who ran as an independent.

By constituency

Aftermath

Following the elections Kenilorea was re-elected Prime Minister, defeating People's Alliance Party leader

Solomon Mamaloni Solomon Sunaone Mamaloni (23 January 1943 – 11 January 2000) was a Solomon Islands politician. He was the first chief minister of the islands, and later served as the prime minister for three spells in the 1980s and 1990s. Biography Mamaloni ...

by 25 votes to 5. He formed a government with the support of a group of independents led by Francis Billy Hilly, who became Deputy Prime Minister.Kenilorea back with new ministry
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', October 1980, p5

References

{{Solomon Islands elections Solomons

General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

Elections in the Solomon Islands Election and referendum articles with incomplete results