HONIARA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- As Solomon Islands prepares for Wednesday's joint election, the capital city of Honiara stands on the eve of the vote in a state of quiet anticipation.
The country's citizens prepare to cast their votes in a joint election, encompassing both national and provincial elections.
The campaign period ended at midnight on Monday local time. Campaigns conducted after that are prohibited and are an offense.
A total of 334 candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, vying for seats across the 50 constituencies in the parliamentary elections. Party-affiliated candidates outnumber independent candidates 219 to 115.
In the national parliament, all 50 members are directly elected by plurality vote from single-seat constituencies.
Additionally, 816 candidates are contending for positions in the provincial assemblies and 89 for the Honiara City Council.
As the eve of the elections draws to a close, ballot boxes, symbols of the nation's collective voice, stand sentinel in the respective polling stations, awaiting the dawn of a new day.
At 7 a.m. sharp local time, the polls will open. ■
