The Solomon Islands government has taken control of an investigation into vote rigging claims affecting the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant. Judges from Samoa and Vanuatu have been prevented from leaving the country amid the allegations, which they deny. The Miss Solomon Islands Pageant director calls for calm and emphasizes the need to protect the event’s integrity as legal and governmental discussions continue.
The Miss Solomon Islands Pageant director, Joyce Konofilia, reported that the Solomon Islands government is now managing investigations into allegations of vote rigging linked to the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant. Following claims of interference, judges Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt from Samoa and Jane Glen Canas from Vanuatu were not permitted to leave the country.
Leiataualesa denied any misconduct, stating to Indepth Solomons, “I don’t even know where that allegation came from.” Konofilia has urged public calm during this investigation phase, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the pageant’s integrity.
Konofilia stressed that the government has assumed control of the situation. She mentioned, “At this stage, the government has taken over, and Brunt was stopped from leaving the country.” The organizers await a government statement regarding Brunt’s travel restrictions and the next steps in the investigation.
Chief executive of the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants, Pamela Naesol, countered claims of irregularities, asserting that the results followed standard protocol. She explained that the head judge, Jerry Brunt, cast the decisive vote after a tie between Miss Tonga and Miss Samoa was recorded, resulting in Miss Samoa’s victory.
Leiataualesa, a practicing lawyer, questioned the legality of the Solomon Islands’ stop notice against him and Canas, stating, “There is no legal basis for Solomon Islands officials to have issued a travel prohibition order against us.” Their scheduled departure was postponed due to this intervention.
The government of Samoa has requested clarification from the Solomon Islands Attorney General on the travel prohibition. In response to the vote rigging accusations, Leiataualesa plans to pursue legal action once he returns home, expressing intentions to seek an apology for the alleged defamation against him and his family.
The unfolding situation surrounding the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant raises significant concerns about the integrity of the event amid allegations of vote rigging. With government involvement and legal implications for the judges, the focus remains on ensuring a fair investigation. The Miss Solomon Islands Pageant organizers are committed to preserving the event’s reputation and integrity while navigating these contentious developments.
Original Source: www.rnz.co.nz
