The Governing Council (GovCo) was the legislature and executive of the Solomon Islands between 1970 and 1974.
History 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.Decolonising the Solomon Islands: British theory and Melanesian practice Alfred Deakin Research Institute 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.
The Council had six committees; Communications, Finance, Internal Affairs, Natural Resources, Social Services and Works. 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, which was elected for the first time in 1976. This was in preparation for independence in 1978 when it became, effectively, the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.
List of constituencies 1970 constituencies1973 constituenciesCentral MalaitaꞌAreꞌareChoiseul/ShortlandsCentral GuadalcanalEast GuadalcanalCentral MalaitaEastern Outer IslandsChoiseulHoniaraEast GuadalcanalMakiraEast Isabel/SavoNew GeorgiaEast MakiraNgella/Savo/RussellsEast MalaitaNorth Central MalaitaEastern Outer IslandsNorth East MalaitaGizo/Ranongga/Simbo/KolombangaraNorth MalaitaHoniaraSanta IsabelKwaioSouth Central MalaitaLau/MbaeleleaSouth GuadalcanalMarovo/KusagheSouth MalaitaNggelaVella Lavella/KolombangaraNorth West MalaitaWest GuadalcanalRoviana/Rendova Shortlands/Vella LavellaSmall MalaitaSouth Guadalcanal/Rennell and BellonaWest Guadalcanal and RussellsWest IsabelWest Kwara'aeWest MakiraSource: Election Passport
Chairmen of the Governing Council #NameTook officeLeft officeNotes30Tom Russell1970August 1971Also acting High Commissioner31Silas SitaiAugust 1971October 1972Died in office28Michael GassOctober 19721973Also High Commissioner29Donald LuddingtonOctober 1973September 1974Also High Commissioner32Frederick OsifeloSeptember 1974October 1974
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