Prime Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Eke has called for transparency in the ongoing Miss Pacific Islands pageant controversy, stressing the need for fairness in the competition.
Speaking at a press conference at the St. George Government Building on Friday, Eke addressed concerns over the recent crowning of Miss Samoa, which has sparked allegations of vote manipulation. “We are concerned because we had a representative,” he said. “It should be honest and transparent.”
The controversy erupted after a tie-breaking vote by head judge Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt resulted in Miss Samoa’s victory, prompting accusations of irregularities and travel restrictions on judges involved.
Eke stated that the matter would return to the Miss Pacific organisers for review. “It goes back to the organizing committee and the conditions for judging,” he said. “And if there was deviation from the judging conditions, that it goes back to who had done it to correct.”
Eke did not comment further on head judge Brunt’s statement that Tonga should apologise to him over the accusations.
With tensions rising, the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Board has urged unity and respect for the integrity of the competition. Miss Tonga said she would not accept the crown if the claims are true.
No statement has come yet from the Solomon authorities regarding the ongoing investigation into the allegations for vote rigging.
