Solomon Islands has lost another sitting Member of Parliament following the death of South New Georgia, Rendova and Tetepare MP David Gina this morning.

Gina, 65, died at the National Referral Hospital, where he was admitted yesterday after suffering a stroke, according to doctors.

His death comes five days after three-term Ulawa/Ugi MP William Bradford Marau died on October 10 following a prolonged illness.

Gina was elected to Parliament for the first time in the April 2024 general election.

He secured 1,942 votes to defeat seven other candidates in the South New Georgia, Rendova and Tetepare constituency, according to official election results.

Before entering national politics, Gina served as Premier of Western Province.

He was elected premier in July 2018 after securing the support of 15 members of the Western Provincial Assembly.

However, he was removed from office in November 2021 following a motion of no confidence.

In April 2026, Gina joined the government led by then Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and was appointed Minister for Rural Development.

In August, Parliament elected him Deputy Speaker, placing him among the legislature’s senior officeholders.

It’s likely the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission will conduct two by-elections for those vacant seats before the 2028 national elections.

Meanwhile, the Government has announced that a funeral service to honour the life of William Marau will be held tomorrow at the St Barnabas Cathedral .