# 1976 Solomon Islands general election

General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 22 June 1976. Although contested by three political parties (the People's Progressive Party, the National Democratic Party and the Melanesian Action Party), the Independent Group emerged as the largest group in the Legislative Assembly, and elected Peter Kenilorea Chief Minister.

## Results

A total of 177 candidates contested the elections. Only fourteen incumbent MLAs were re-elected, with two ministers – David Thuguvoda and Ashley Wickham – losing their seats. Kenilorea was elected unopposed in East ꞌAreꞌare.
The Independent Group won 15 of the 38 seats, with the National Democratic Party winning eight.
| Constituency | Candidate | Votes | % | Notes |
| Central Guadalcanal | Paul Joseph Tovua | 408 | 43.00 | Elected |
| Central Guadalcanal | Moses Albert Rere | 228 | 24.00 | |
| Central Guadalcanal | Mark Manapasege | 190 | 20.00 | |
| Central Guadalcanal | Belden Aghi | 123 | 13.00 | |
| Central Malaita | Collin Gauwane | 376 | 31.90 | Re-elected |
| Central Malaita | Abraham Baeanisia | 221 | 18.70 | |
| Central Malaita | George Maelalo | 193 | 16.40 | |
| Central Malaita | Alfred Maetia | 188 | 15.90 | |
| Central Malaita | Francis Joseph Saemala | 108 | 9.20 | |
| Central Malaita | Francis Walelia | 59 | 5.00 | |
| Central Malaita | Martin Anifasipetele | 34 | 2.90 | |
| East ꞌAreꞌare | Peter Kenilorea | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| East Guadalcanal | David Valusa | 438 | 30.90 | Elected |
| East Guadalcanal | Sukuatu Malakia | 362 | 25.60 | |
| East Guadalcanal | Joel Kikolo | 245 | 17.30 | |
| East Guadalcanal | Sam Iko | 161 | 11.40 | |
| East Guadalcanal | Donasiano Pororasu | 132 | 9.30 | |
| East Guadalcanal | Salathiel Lence Roger | 78 | 5.50 | |
| East Honiara | Batholomew Ulufa'alu | 613 | 61.20 | Elected |
| East Honiara | Peter J. Salaka | 331 | 33.00 | |
| East Honiara | Paul Buarua | 58 | 5.80 | |
| East Isabel | Francis Reginald Kikolo | 444 | 26.90 | Re-elected |
| East Isabel | Douglas Feitei | 327 | 19.80 | |
| East Isabel | Daniel Denys Maile | 262 | 15.90 | |
| East Isabel | Moses Mahomed Razak | 249 | 15.10 | |
| East Isabel | Cullwick Maneguasa Vahia | 145 | 8.80 | |
| East Isabel | Benjamin Tivo Zeva | 120 | 7.30 | |
| East Isabel | Alfred Charles Bugoro | 105 | 6.40 | |
| East Kwaio | Jonathan Fifii | 849 | 75.30 | Re-elected |
| East Kwaio | John Fisango | 278 | 24.70 | |
| East Makira | Benedict Kinika | 779 | 38.60 | Re-elected |
| East Makira | Geoffrey Kuper | 498 | 24.70 | |
| East Makira | Macpherson Mwara | 444 | 22.00 | |
| East Makira | Elijah Koke | 121 | 6.00 | |
| East Makira | Daniel Kuata | 115 | 5.70 | |
| East Makira | Beato Tora | 63 | 3.10 | |
| East Malaita | Faneta Sira | 238 | 18.90 | Elected |
| East Malaita | John Maetia Kaliuae | 201 | 15.90 | |
| East Malaita | Leslie Fugui | 168 | 13.30 | Unseated |
| East Malaita | Ben Gale | 157 | 12.50 | |
| East Malaita | Appallosi Siosi | 127 | 10.10 | |
| East Malaita | Jack Inifiri | 107 | 8.50 | |
| East Malaita | Saeti Saefafia | 85 | 6.70 | |
| East Malaita | Charles Luiramo | 67 | 5.30 | |
| East Malaita | Billy Fa'arobo | 62 | 4.90 | |
| East Malaita | Barnabas Kona | 49 | 3.90 | |
| First Eastern Outer Islands | Moffat Bonunga | 827 | 63.80 | Re-elected |
| First Eastern Outer Islands | Matthew Leuba | 200 | 15.40 | |
| First Eastern Outer Islands | Ambrose Langosa | 140 | 10.80 | |
| First Eastern Outer Islands | Santas Paikai | 130 | 10.00 | |
| Gizo/Kolombangara | Lawry Eddie Wickham | 410 | 46.90 | Elected |
| Gizo/Kolombangara | George Ngumi | 321 | 36.70 | Unseated |
| Gizo/Kolombangara | Aquila Talasasa | 108 | 12.30 | |
| Gizo/Kolombangara | Anthony Ramoi | 36 | 4.10 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Mariano Kelesi | 315 | 21.00 | Elected |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | George Suri Kwanae | 195 | 13.00 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Ratu Wayne Sade Afu | 164 | 10.90 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Jeriel Ofea Ausuta | 128 | 8.50 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Mahlon Kwalofau | 125 | 8.30 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Philip Solodia | 115 | 7.70 | Unseated |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Samuel Ragosomani | 110 | 7.30 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Colin Bentley | 80 | 5.30 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Hadley Toata | 77 | 5.10 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Stephen Pita | 67 | 4.50 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | John Ratu Daofainia | 56 | 3.70 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Baddeley Koutu | 39 | 2.60 | |
| Lau/Mbaelelea | Festus Kenileana | 30 | 2.00 | |
| Malaita Outer Islands | Johnson Kengalu | 183 | 45.80 | Elected |
| Malaita Outer Islands | Abraham Kapei | 170 | 42.50 | |
| Malaita Outer Islands | Johnson Siota | 47 | 11.80 | |
| Marovo | Pulepada Ghemu | 531 | 67.60 | Re-elected |
| Marovo | Harold Penny | 254 | 32.40 | |
| Nggela | Ben Tumulima | 553 | 31.40 | Elected |
| Nggela | James Loti | 381 | 21.60 | |
| Nggela | Dudley Gorosi | 318 | 18.10 | |
| Nggela | Richard Harper | 204 | 11.60 | |
| Nggela | Robert Pule | 160 | 9.10 | |
| Nggela | John Plant Salini | 79 | 4.50 | |
| Nggela | Matthew Kuri | 66 | 3.70 | |
| North Choiseul | Gideon Zoleveke | 472 | 58.30 | Re-elected |
| North Choiseul | Luke Pitakoe | 337 | 41.70 | |
| North East Guadalcanal (old) | Waeta Ben | 782 | 83.70 | Re-elected |
| North East Guadalcanal (old) | David Kauli | 152 | 16.30 | |
| North Guadalcanal | Philip Kapini | 412 | 30.60 | Elected |
| North Guadalcanal | Alfred Maeke | 368 | 27.30 | |
| North Guadalcanal | David Thuguvoda | 247 | 18.30 | Unseated |
| North Guadalcanal | Alfred Thugea | 123 | 9.10 | |
| North Guadalcanal | Stephen Matagu | 122 | 9.10 | |
| North Guadalcanal | Michael Mose | 76 | 5.60 | |
| North West Malaita | Joseph Taega | 213 | 24.50 | Elected |
| North West Malaita | Moffat Maena | 163 | 18.80 | |
| North West Malaita | Ishmael Bobby | 132 | 15.20 | |
| North West Malaita | Bartholomew Riolo Okesi | 121 | 13.90 | |
| North West Malaita | Mahion Dofai | 75 | 8.60 | |
| North West Malaita | Leonard Maenuna | 71 | 8.20 | |
| North West Malaita | Dominic Surioa | 56 | 6.40 | |
| North West Malaita | Augustine Maelfodola | 38 | 4.40 | |
| Ranongga/Simbo | Francis Billy Hilly | 400 | 41.40 | Elected |
| Ranongga/Simbo | Nelson Mamipitu | 195 | 20.20 | |
| Ranongga/Simbo | Patterson Runikera | 148 | 15.30 | |
| Ranongga/Simbo | Bruce Ragoso | 121 | 12.50 | |
| Ranongga/Simbo | Josiah Kunduru | 103 | 10.70 | |
| Rennell/Bellona | John Tepaika | 563 | 77.20 | Elected |
| Rennell/Bellona | John Mike Sau | 119 | 16.30 | |
| Rennell/Bellona | Leonard Kaitu'u | 47 | 6.40 | |
| Roviana and North New Georgia | Geoffrey Opokana Beti | 754 | 73.80 | Elected |
| Roviana and North New Georgia | Alphonse Daga | 160 | 15.70 | |
| Roviana and North New Georgia | Simeon Paza Makini | 107 | 10.50 | |
| Russells/Savo | Peter Manetiva | 559 | 47.50 | Elected |
| Russells/Savo | John Baptist Tura | 331 | 28.10 | |
| Russells/Savo | Mark Vaka | 287 | 24.40 | |
| Second Eastern Outer Islands | John Melanoli | 397 | 29.10 | Elected |
| Second Eastern Outer Islands | James Santa | 253 | 18.60 | |
| Second Eastern Outer Islands | John Mealue | 238 | 17.50 | |
| Second Eastern Outer Islands | Father Brock | 214 | 15.70 | |
| Second Eastern Outer Islands | Ataban M Tropa | 211 | 15.50 | |
| Second Eastern Outer Islands | David Dawea Taukalo | 49 | 3.60 | |
| Shortland | Remesio Eresi | 338 | 53.70 | Elected |
| Shortland | Edward Kingmele | 167 | 26.50 | |
| Shortland | Lester Sogah Bule | 125 | 19.80 | |
| Small Malaita | Emilio Li'I Ouou | 995 | 54.00 | Re-elected |
| Small Malaita | Anthony Saru | 419 | 22.70 | |
| Small Malaita | David Lilimae | 221 | 12.00 | |
| Small Malaita | Peter Mamani | 207 | 11.20 | |
| South Choiseul | Jason Dorovolomo | 457 | 38.00 | Elected |
| South Choiseul | Joini Tutua | 329 | 27.30 | |
| South Choiseul | Lemech Dorovoqa | 222 | 18.50 | |
| South Choiseul | Binet Gadebeta | 129 | 10.70 | |
| South Choiseul | Stainer Pitaduna | 66 | 5.50 | |
| South Guadalcanal | Sethuel Kelly | 682 | 40.60 | Elected |
| South Guadalcanal | Stephen Cheka | 518 | 30.90 | Unseated |
| South Guadalcanal | George Wilson Mangale | 279 | 16.60 | |
| South Guadalcanal | Wilson Low | 199 | 11.90 | |
| Ulawa/Ugi | Daniel Ho'ota | 375 | 48.60 | Elected |
| Ulawa/Ugi | Andrew Mamau | 183 | 23.70 | |
| Ulawa/Ugi | Thomas Titiulu | 157 | 20.40 | |
| Ulawa/Ugi | Michael Umaleo | 56 | 7.30 | |
| Vella Lavella | Andrew Kukuti | 440 | 34.90 | Re-elected |
| Vella Lavella | Gilbert Pana | 349 | 27.70 | |
| Vella Lavella | Tommy Rausu | 215 | 17.00 | |
| Vella Lavella | George Talasasa | 137 | 10.90 | |
| Vella Lavella | Howard Viuru | 66 | 5.20 | |
| Vella Lavella | Rodi Mesipitu | 55 | 4.40 | |
| Vona Vona/Rendova/Tetepari | Francis Milton Angarau | 346 | 34.10 | Elected |
| Vona Vona/Rendova/Tetepari | Samuel Kuku | 335 | 33.00 | |
| Vona Vona/Rendova/Tetepari | Darcy Everett Lilo | 200 | 19.70 | |
| Vona Vona/Rendova/Tetepari | Milton Sale | 134 | 13.20 | |
| West ꞌAreꞌare | David Kausimae | 554 | 52.30 | Re-elected |
| West ꞌAreꞌare | Michael Oritaimae | 386 | 36.40 | |
| West ꞌAreꞌare | Romano Toreitoro | 119 | 11.20 | |
| West Guadalcanal | Matthew Belamataga | 556 | 31.70 | Re-elected |
| West Guadalcanal | Leonard Ashley Sydenham | 306 | 17.40 | |
| West Guadalcanal | Bartholomew Buchanan | 305 | 17.40 | |
| West Guadalcanal | Orlie Torling | 283 | 16.10 | |
| West Guadalcanal | Savino Kokopu | 153 | 8.70 | |
| West Guadalcanal | Francis George Labu | 152 | 8.70 | |
| West Honiara | Nathan Wate | 299 | 30.80 | Elected |
| West Honiara | Ronald Alexander Lawson | 275 | 28.30 | |
| West Honiara | Warren Paia | 243 | 25.00 | |
| West Honiara | Ashley Wickham | 155 | 15.90 | Unseated |
| West Isabel | Willie Betu | 1,005 | 58.10 | Re-elected |
| West Isabel | Dennis Carlos Lulei | 725 | 41.90 | |
| West Kwaio | Henry Tom | 296 | 39.90 | Elected |
| West Kwaio | George Luialamo | 218 | 29.40 | |
| West Kwaio | Paul Andrew Foasi | 145 | 19.50 | |
| West Kwaio | John Ale | 83 | 11.20 | |
| West Kwara'ae | John Richardson Garea | 604 | 44.60 | Elected |
| West Kwara'ae | Alan Taki | 280 | 20.70 | |
| West Kwara'ae | Bill Dolarii | 107 | 7.90 | |
| West Kwara'ae | Clement Kiriau Ofai | 91 | 6.70 | |
| West Kwara'ae | Fred Maedola | 87 | 6.40 | |
| West Kwara'ae | Andrew Adifaka | 62 | 4.60 | |
| West Kwara'ae | Rickimae Alufafia | 56 | 4.10 | |
| West Kwara'ae | Edward John Filiau | 36 | 2.70 | |
| West Kwara'ae | Timeous Teioli | 31 | 2.30 | |
| West Makira | Solomon S. Mamaloni | 1,092 | 80.90 | Re-elected |
| West Makira | John Marahora | 258 | 19.10 | |
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## Aftermath

Following the elections, the Legislative Assembly elected the Chief Minister in mid-July, with Kenilorea defeating incumbent Chief Minister Solomon Mamaloni by 21 votes to 16 in the seventh round of voting. Kenilorea subsequently formed a new Council of Ministers.
| Position | Minister |
| Chief Minister | Peter Kenilorea |
| Minister for Agriculture and Land | Sethuel Kelly |
| Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs | Mariano Kelesi |
| Minister for Finance | Benedict Kinika |
| Minister for Foreign Trade, Industry and Labour | Pulepada Ghemu |
| Minister for Health and Welfare | Daniel Ho'ota |
| Minister of Home Affairs | Francis Billy Hilly |
| Minister for Works and Public Utilities | John Tepaika |