Governing Council of the Solomon Islands

The Governing Council (GovCo) was the legislature and executive of the Solomon Islands between 1970 and 1974.

History

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The Governing Council was established in 1970 when a new constitution was promulgated on 10 April. It combined the previous Legislative Council and Executive Council into a single body.[1] For the first time, elected members were in the majority, having increased in number from 14 to 17. The GovCo consisted of 17 elected members, nine appointed government officials and the High Commissioner, who served as Chairman.[1]

The Council had six committees; Communications, Finance, Internal Affairs, Natural Resources, Social Services and Works.[1] The elected members were elected from single-member constituencies for four-year terms. The first elections took place in 1970. Prior to the 1973 elections the number of elected members and constituencies was increased to 24.

On 27 August 1974 a new constitution was promulgated, abolishing the Governing Council and replacing it with an all-elected 38-member Legislative Assembly,[1] which was elected for the first time in 1976.

List of constituencies

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1970 constituencies 1973 constituencies
Central Malaita ꞌAreꞌare
Choiseul/Shortlands Central Guadalcanal
East Guadalcanal Central Malaita
Eastern Outer Islands Choiseul
Honiara East Guadalcanal
Makira East Isabel/Savo
New Georgia East Makira
Ngella/Savo/Russells East Malaita
North Central Malaita Eastern Outer Islands
North East Malaita Gizo/Ranongga/Simbo/Kolombangara
North Malaita Honiara
Santa Isabel Kwaio
South Central Malaita Lau/Mbaelelea
South Guadalcanal Marovo/Kusaghe
South Malaita Nggela
Vella Lavella/Kolombangara North West Malaita
West Guadalcanal Roviana/Rendova
Shortlands/Vella Lavella
Small Malaita
South Guadalcanal/Rennell and Bellona
West Guadalcanal and Russells
West Isabel
West Kwara'ae
West Makira
Source: Election Passport

References

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