General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 6 August 1980.Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p801 They were the first since independence has been achieved two years earlier. The Solomon Islands United Party led by Prime Minister Peter Kenilorea emerged as the largest party, winning 16 of the 38 seats. Following the elections, Kenilorea was re-elected Prime Minister.Solomon Islands Inter-Parliamentary Union

Campaign A total of 241 candidates contested the 38 seats.

Results Around two-thirds of incumbent MPs lost their seats.Solomon Islands voters tip 'em out Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1980, p9 The election result in West Honiara was annulled by the Electoral Commission after the High Court ruled that the winning candidate Ben Gale had committed electoral offences.New poll ordered in Honiara Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1981, p6 The by-election was held in August 1981 and was won by Gordon Billy Gatu of the National Democratic Party who received 681 votes to the 290 for Frank Saemala of the SIUP and 245 for Lilly Ogatina Poznanski, who ran as an independent.Loser wins in Honiara by-election Pacific Islands Monthly, July 1981, p6

By constituency Constituency Candidate Party Votes % NotesCentral Guadalcanal Paul Joseph Tovua 608 44.71 Re-electedFrancis George Labu 244 17.94 Samuel Topilu 196 14.41 Sam Nesa Chamatete 167 12.28 M. J. Koba 86 6.32 Jim Vokia 59 4.34 Central Malaita Adrian Bataiofesi 412 26.95 ElectedCollin Gauwane 271 17.72 UnseatedJohn Paul Dio 234 15.30 B. Bosokuru 222 14.52 R. Folota 113 7.39 Vincent Talauburi 97 6.34 Lionel Oloni 81 5.30 Frank Fosala 41 2.68 F. Kona 23 1.50 George Maelalo 20 1.31 Pita Saefafia Kirimaoma 15 0.98 East ꞌAreꞌare Peter Kenilorea 816 82.67 Re-electedF. G. Anohere 171 17.33 East Guadalcanal Ezekiel Alebua 297 22.59 ElectedDavid Valusa 268 20.38 UnseatedSam Iko 207 15.74 Calisto Houma 199 15.13 T. Labuvilia 199 15.13 E. I. Oha 66 5.02 W. Teteha 60 4.56 Joel Kikolo 19 1.44 East Honiara Batholomew Ulufa'alu 493 33.04 Re-electedJohn Maetia Kaliuae 403 27.01 S. Saunana 323 21.65 Stephen Anilafa Sipolo 110 7.37 F. Tafea 93 6.23 R. Lence 70 4.69 East Isabel Michael Evo 586 32.16 ElectedCulwick Maneguasa Vahia 294 16.14 Z. Takonene 209 11.47 Francis Reginald Kikolo 184 10.10 UnseatedN. Legua 172 9.44 M. Manesonia 158 8.67 J. Aujare 120 6.59 T. Quity 99 5.43 East Kwaio Daniel Foasifobae 646 51.68 ElectedJonathan Fifii 604 48.32 UnseatedEast Makira Benedict Kinika 1,001 39.46 Re-electedDavid Sitai 989 38.98 F. Campbell 440 17.34 A. Wabwo 107 4.22 East Malaita Alfred Maetia 578 29.99 ElectedFaneta Sira 331 17.18 UnseatedBilly Fa'arobo 282 14.63 Andrew Buga 127 6.59 J. Waita 124 6.43 Blake Afuga 123 6.38 E. Lade 110 5.71 S. Dolaiasi 104 5.40 M. Sanga 88 4.57 L. Lomo 48 2.49 R. Tisah 12 0.62 Gizo/Kolombangara Lawry Eddie Wickham 401 32.55 Re-electedJoini Tutua 275 22.32 K. Russell 193 15.67 D. Hivah 182 14.77 J. Qaqara 181 14.69 Lau/Mbaelelea George Suri Kwanae 323 12.14 ElectedNathan Wate 320 12.03 M. Akwai 300 11.27 Diau Mauga 289 10.86 J. Belo 252 9.47 Mariano Kelesi 246 9.24 UnseatedF. Osifelo 235 8.83 J. Rilaua 194 7.29 S. Iniomea 147 5.52 P. Kirio 145 5.45 P. Kosemu 140 5.26 L. Silifa 70 2.63 Malaita Outer Islands Paul Keyaumi 178 38.03 ElectedAbraham Kapei 163 34.83 Johnson Kengalu 68 14.53 UnseatedP. Piva 52 11.11 F. Mulvey 7 1.50 Marovo Pulepada Ghemu 351 27.49 Re-electedE. W. Anderson 238 18.64 A. Lokopio 206 16.13 R. Ophiuvendi 202 15.82 P. Haro 190 14.88 J. Kinio 90 7.05 Nggela Richard Harper 547 20.43 ElectedGordon Mara 515 19.23 James Loti 511 19.08 D. P. Maeke 323 12.06 Robert Pule 310 11.58 Johnson Soro 202 7.54 F. Sawanu 152 5.68 Ben Tumulima 118 4.41 UnseatedNorth Choiseul Allan Qurusu 447 35.93 ElectedP. Amedio 309 24.84 E. K. Tangolo 189 15.19 Jimmy Pitanapi 130 10.45 N. N. Derekolo 90 7.23 J. Vorekale 79 6.35 North East Guadalcanal Waeta Ben 842 68.57 Re-electedDavid Kauli 157 12.79 C. D. Kokoluvia 83 6.76 Reuben Bula 78 6.35 G. Mccall 68 5.54 North Guadalcanal Philip Kapini 764 44.89 Re-electedAlfred Maeke 276 16.22 F. Laumae 230 13.51 Alfred Thugea 167 9.81 Stephen Paeni 151 8.87 R. Patua 114 6.70 North West Malaita Bartholomew Leni Olea 431 29.85 ElectedJoseph Taega 268 18.56 UnseatedS. Danitofea 201 13.92 Swanson Cornelius Konofilia 165 11.43 Mahion Dofai 92 6.37 A. Maeobia 87 6.02 Dominic Surioa 78 5.40 J. L. Rodobui 48 3.32 Festus Kenileana 38 2.63 Bartholomew Riolo Okesi 36 2.49 Ranongga/Simbo Francis Billy Hilly 394 33.56 Re-electedB. E. Nagu 176 14.99 J. Poihiti 156 13.29 Bruce Ragoso 150 12.78 G. Labo 127 10.82 Patterson Runikera 93 7.92 J. Kiko 78 6.64 Rennell/Bellona Paul John 281 36.49 ElectedJohn Tepaika 261 33.90 UnseatedJ. T. Puia 228 29.61 Roviana and North New Georgia Geoffrey Opokana Beti 701 46.73 Re-electedFrank Jamakana 393 26.20 W. Uluilakeba 240 16.00 Luxton Jovere 90 6.00 Alphonse Daga 76 5.07 Russells/Savo John Ngina 395 28.56 ElectedPeter Manetiva 335 24.22 UnseatedMark Vaka 257 18.58 A. Tonezepo 171 12.36 A. Adifaka 108 7.81 S. Timi 70 5.06 G. Tatea 47 3.40 Shortland Peter J. Salaka 348 54.21 ElectedRoy Kelosi 110 17.13 Remesio Eresi 103 16.04 UnseatedR. Kimisi 50 7.79 Edward Kingmele 31 4.83 Small Malaita Tony Harihiru 924 38.31 ElectedAlex Bartlett 364 15.09 Anthony Saru 286 11.86 Richard Watekari 205 8.50 David Lilimae 182 7.55 Emilio Li'I Ouou 151 6.26 UnseatedS. B. Ohanikeni 123 5.10 B. Rilanga 76 3.15 D. L. Uqemane 51 2.11 A. Po'oia 32 1.33 H. Maelasi 18 0.75 South Choiseul Jason Dorovolomo 621 45.43 Re-electedFranklin Pitakaka 318 23.26 J. Gaqurae 268 19.60 M. Pitakaka 160 11.70 South Guadalcanal George Wilson Mangale 413 26.63 ElectedD. Manea 390 25.15 A. Manakako 267 17.21 Victor Alikivara 243 15.67 S. Sese 182 11.73 P. Manegavai 56 3.61 Temotu Nende Ataban M Tropa 499 32.49 ElectedRobert Mewebu 359 23.37 Samuel Tensing Leo 292 19.01 John Melanoli 218 14.19 UnseatedJ. Mekabu 168 10.94 Temotu Pele Moffat Bonunga 567 37.25 Re-electedMatthew Leuba 268 17.61 John Mark Ma'ake 252 16.56 B. Bonie 228 14.98 Santas Paikai 207 13.60 Ulawa/Ugi Andrew Mamau 542 62.16 ElectedDaniel Ho'ota 282 32.34 UnseatedB. Tapo'oa 48 5.50 Vella Lavella George Talasasa 275 17.03 ElectedS. Matluri 274 16.97 C. Dorauvo 253 15.67 Andrew Kukuti 236 14.61 UnseatedSeth G. Lekelalu 222 13.75 S. Rausu 181 11.21 C. Piraka 174 10.77 Vona Vona/Rendova/Tetepari Hugh Soakai 379 27.21 ElectedJohn Talasasa 272 19.53 UnseatedJ. D. Mare 247 17.73 George Pina Lilo 198 14.21 Patrick Paia 110 7.90 Darcy Everett Lilo 104 7.47 B. Gadepeta 45 3.23 J. I. Sakiri 38 2.73 West ꞌAreꞌare Alfred Aihunu 450 38.07 ElectedDavid Kausimae 433 36.63 UnseatedJ. Korinihona 211 17.85 John Mare Aihunu 51 4.31 M. S. Houia 37 3.13 West Guadalcanal Kamilo Teke 486 26.40 ElectedBartholomew Buchanan 478 25.96 Matthew Belamataga 406 22.05 UnseatedM. Qolu 226 12.28 Savino Kokopu 141 7.66 F. Tavalo 104 5.65 West Honiara Ben Gale 443 26.26 ElectedGordon Billy Gatu 413 24.48 Francis Joseph Saemala 368 21.81 Peter Vincent Bennett 286 16.95 G. Atkin 122 7.23 Colin Bentley 55 3.26 West Isabel Dennis Carlos Lulei 882 42.71 ElectedWillie Betu 559 27.07 UnseatedM. B. Habu 294 14.24 E. G. Vunagi 203 9.83 Robert Perakana 99 4.79 S. Soni 28 1.36 West Kwaio Jonathan Wesley Kuka 305 22.26 ElectedSam Philip Korasimora 213 15.55 J. Frank 206 15.04 John Ale 165 12.04 T. Damutalau 150 10.95 J. Gafui 104 7.59 Henry Tom 104 7.59 UnseatedJ. S. Talo 83 6.06 S. Ira 40 2.92 West Kwara'ae Alan Taki 458 21.01 Re-electedLeonard Maenuna 439 20.14 S. S. Ga'a 292 13.39 A. R. Lidimani 268 12.29 W. D. Tua 256 11.74 J. M. L. Akolo'ae 134 6.15 T. Babalu 121 5.55 W. Maelaua 106 4.86 Alfred Kela 62 2.84 B. Bualea 44 2.02 West Makira Solomon S. Mamaloni 1,560 82.89 ElectedJ. Morea 322 17.11

Aftermath Following the elections Kenilorea was re-elected Prime Minister, defeating People's Alliance Party leader Solomon Mamaloni by 25 votes to 5. He formed a government with the support of a group of independents led by Francis Billy Hilly, who became Deputy Prime Minister.Kenilorea back with new ministry Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1980, p5

PositionMemberPartyPrime MinisterPeter KeniloreaSolomon Islands United PartyDeputy Prime MinisterMinister of HealthFrancis Billy HillyIndependentMinister of Agriculture and LandsWaeta BenIndependentMinister of EducationGeoffrey BetiIndependentMinister of FinanceBenedict KinikaSolomon Islands United PartyMinister of Home AffairsPhilip KapiniIndependentMinister of Law and InformationLawry WickhamIndependentMinister of Natural ResourcesPaul TovuaSolomon Islands United PartyMinister of Trade, Industry and LabourPulepada GhemuSolomon Islands United PartyMinister of Transport and CommunicationsMoffat BonungaSolomon Islands United PartyMinister of Works and Public UtilitiesTony HarihiruSolomon Islands United PartyMinister of Youth and Cultural AffairsDenis LuleiIndependent

References