Jane Waetara sworn-in as new Electoral Commission’s CEO

Sir David congratulates Mrs. Waetara soo after her swearing-in ceremony|Photo GCU

Jane Waetara has been sworn-in as the new Chief Electoral Officer of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission Office(SIEO).

 Mrs. Waetara was the first local female Chief Electoral Officer in the country.

She has taken her oath, during a swearing-in ceremony at the Government House today before His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir David Vunagi.

In a statement today, Electoral Commission’s Operation Manager, Freddie Bosoboe highlighted that Mrs. Waetara is the first local female to hold this post since it was constitutionalized in mid-2018.

“We are very happy to have a national as the CEO and so to be a female is a great achievement for the Office”, Mr. Bosoboe expressed. 

The working team at the SIEO warmly welcomes and looks forward to working together with the new chief electoral officer in implementing many of the electoral reform areas that have been enabled in the 2018 Electoral Act, preparing towards the 2023 National General Election. 

Mrs. Waetara shared her profound gratitude after the ceremony and said, she was humbled to be entrusted with this great responsibility 

“I am so happy to join SIEO and thank the team for their confidence and trust in me to lead the office”.

She said the undertaking is not an easy task and she will do all she could do to service.

“I know Election is not an easy task that ought not to be taken lightly”, she said. 

Mrs. Waetara with staff members of the SIEO|Photo by GCU

Mrs. Waetara is from Manakwai in North Malaita who lived with her husband Augustine Waetara who is from Ulawa, Makira Province. 

Mrs. Waetara had a Master in Business Studies from Massey University, New Zealand, Bachelor of Arts in Management and Economics from the University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. 

She has held senior positions within Solomon Islands government with more than 20 years’ work experience with Solomon Islands Public Service. 

Senior Positions She held in the past include; 

  • Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination (Solomon Island Public Service, SI Government),
  • Interim Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Island Ports Authority,
  • Team Leader- Effective Governance, UNDP, Solomon Islands 

Mrs. Waetara has been recruited under a competitive recruitment process and yet stood out as the best candidate. 

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