Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) is calling on Solomon Islanders to look beyond elections and take greater responsibility for strengthening the country’s democracy.
TSI’s executive officer Ruth Liloqula said International Democracy Day on September 15 should be more than a ceremonial celebration and should instead prompt serious reflection on the health of Solomon Islands’ democracy.
This year’s national theme, “Promoting Democracy Through Collective Actions and Responsibilities,” highlights the need for government, political leaders, public institutions, civil society, the media and citizens to work together to strengthen democratic governance, she said.
Liloqula said democracy should not be viewed simply as the right to vote and elect political leaders.
“Democracy does not begin and end at the ballot box,” she added.
She said a healthy democracy also requires young people to have a meaningful voice in public affairs, access to information, freedom to express their views, confidence in public institutions and the ability to hold those entrusted with public power accountable.
For Solomon Islands, Liloqula said this means asking whether citizens are listened to when major decisions are made, whether people can access information about how public money is spent and whether government decisions are properly explained.
She also questioned whether integrity institutions can independently scrutinise those in positions of power and whether citizens can raise concerns without fear.
“These questions matter because democracy is ultimately about how public power is exercised and in whose interests that power is used,” she said.
Liloqula said elections give citizens the opportunity to choose their representatives, but elected leaders remain accountable to the people and to the institutions established to safeguard democratic governance.
She said the responsibility for protecting democracy extends across society.
The Government must govern transparently and accountably, Parliament must scrutinise the executive and represent citizens, and integrity institutions must be able to independently perform their mandates, she said.
The media also has a responsibility to inform the public accurately and responsibly, while civil society organisations must advocate, educate and encourage public participation.
Citizens, meanwhile, have a responsibility to remain informed, participate constructively and hold public institutions to account.
Liloqula said Solomon Islands has important democratic and integrity institutions, but the challenge is ensuring they can operate effectively, independently and transparently in the public interest.
“Strong democracy requires strong institutions, but strong institutions also require an active and informed public,” she said.
Liloqula said the national theme should therefore be more than a slogan and should be reflected in how citizens participate in public life, how institutions exercise authority and how society responds when democratic principles are challenged.
The United Nations International Day of Democracy is observed annually on September 15 following a UN General Assembly resolution establishing the day in 2007.
Liloqula urged Solomon Islanders to use this year’s observance to consider what kind of democracy they want to build.
“Democracy should not only give citizens a vote. It should give them a voice, protect their rights and ensure that those who exercise public power remain accountable to the people,” she said.
Source: Transparency Solomon Islands