^{By Georgina Maka’a}

THE leader of the Independent Group in Parliament, Dean Kuku, is challenging in the High Court, Government’s controversial decision last September to postpone this year’s national elections to next year. 

Kuku, who is MP for North New Georgia Constituency in Western Province, lodged the challenge in the High Court on Monday. 

The Government, using its numerical strength in parliament, amended sections of the Constitution last September to move the election from May this year to April 2024. 

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said he wanted the elections delayed to allow the Government to concentrate its efforts and finances to host the Pacific Games in November this year. 

But Kuku, who openly opposed the move when it was debated in parliament, said he believes the decision was unconstitutional. 

^{Recent Parliament meeting| Photo: In-depth Solomons}

“The whole intention of this court challenge is to question whether Parliament did the right thing in passing the law,” Kuku said in an earlier statement. 

“Did it adhere to the procedures prescribed by the Constitution for its alteration?” 

He added the primary aim of his challenge is to safeguard the Constitution and to ensure it is accorded the highest level of respect. 

In documents his lawyer, Billy Titiulu, lodged at the High Court, Kuku had asked the court to declare that parliament is dissolved on 23 May 2023 in accordance with Section 73 (3) of the Constitution. 

Titiulu had named the Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the Governer General as defendants in the case. 

Government’s intention to defer the elections was widely opposed from the start. 

Organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Solomon Islands Christians Association (SICA) were two of the staunched opponents. 

Elections in Solomon Islands are held every four years in accordance to the Constitution.