25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?

  The Solomon Islands Political Parties Integrity Act 2014 states only that" A political party shall lodge with the Commission before 31st March each year, beginning in the year ending 2016, an audited annual financial report". 

Source: Article 61(1),  Solomon Islands Political Parties Integrity Act, 2014

The Political Party Integrity Standards state that "a political party and its candidates must not conceal assets, benefits, funds, contributions, liabilities, property or donations, including loans". 

Source: Article 10.3 (a), Solomon Islands  Political Party Integrity Standards, 2014

The Solomon Islands Political Parties Integrity Act 2014 was the first legislation enacted to specifically regulate political parties and does not cover all aspects of political party finances, including the taking out of loans by candidates in relation to election campaigns. The Political Party Integrity Standards which were issued by the Political Parties Commission pursuant to Section 72 of the Political Parties Integrity Act does address the issue of such loans, however these standards are guidelines only and not legally enforceable.