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Voting is underway in the Solomon Islands to elect a new parliament, with both China and the US watching closely, as they seek to expand their influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Polling began at 7 a.m. Wednesday (2000GMT on Tuesday) where more than 420,000 registered voters are eligible to cast their votes and elect 50 members of parliament and also chose their provincial representatives.
Over 1,200 polling stations have been established across the country, which is spread out over 900 islands.
Hoping to win a fifth non-consecutive term in office, caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare delayed the election, initially scheduled for 2023, due to the country hosting the Pacific Games late last year, according to SBS News.
This is the first election since Sogavare shifted diplomatic relations to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019.
The results are expected to take several days to come in, as votes have to be collected from the over 900 islands.
Regional neighbors Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea have sent their police to help the island nation maintain peaceful elections.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid -
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