(MENAFN- QNA) People in the Solomon Islands are going to the polls in the first parliamentary elections since an Australian-led military peacekeeping mission ended.
Some 280,000 voters are registered, with polls open from 07:00 local time until 17:00.
The Pacific nation experienced more than a decade of ethnic violence, but has stabilised in recent years, according to the (BBC).
More than 1,000 police have been deployed but there were no reports of unrest during early voting.
Voters began queuing in the capital, Honiara, in the early hours of the morning.
Hundreds of candidates - both independents and members of the 12 registered political parties - are running for 50 seats in parliament.
Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who has been in power since 2011, is expected to remain in office.
The election is being overseen by a Commonwealth observer mission, including three Australian MPs.
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