The Solomon Islands government is considering fraud charges after Home Affairs Minister Junior Isikeli Vave alleged vote tampering in the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant held in Honiara.
Vave claimed in an interview with RNZ Pacific he witnessed irregularities in the judging process, saying, “I witnessed everything happening that night,” adding that “the crowd could see; their reaction indicated that something was amiss.”
Vave accused Samoan judge Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt of involvement in altering scores, leading to the victory of Miss Samoa, Litara Ieremia Allan. The morning after the crowning Vave said he “discovered that the votes had been tampered with.”
Authorities initially barred Leiataualesa from leaving the country while they investigated. He has denied wrongdoing, saying, “I was not technically detained, but my freedom to leave was restricted.”
A recount by the pageant committees reportedly confirmed Miss Samoa’s win by 12 points, but Vave insisted the integrity of the judging process was compromised. He suggested future pageants should use neutral judges from outside the Pacific region.
The Samoan government has expressed concern over the situation, while Solomon Islands authorities continue to review possible legal action. Vave added that this was not a bilateral issue between the two nations but because “this individual from Samoa potentially committed serious actions in the Solomon Islands.”
Tonga’s Prime Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Eke has expressed his concern calling for honesty and transparency regarding the controversy being investigated.
