The election was held following the passage of the Political Parties Integrity Bill, which sought to discourage party-switching.

In an upset, Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo lost his seat of Gizo/Kolombangara to his nephew Jimson Tanagada.

[7] On 26 August, government MP Steve Laore died suddenly,[8] leaving Philip's coalition at risk of losing its majority.

Philip affirmed that Rini remained in the governing coalition and appointed him as minister of national planning and aid coordination.

[9] Amid allegations of corruption and a mismanagement of government funds, Philip resigned as prime minister on 11 November 2011,[10] shortly before parliament was scheduled to vote on a no-confidence motion filed by Opposition Leader Derek Sikua.

Three ministers had resigned the week before, stating that they had lost confidence in Philip's leadership and accused him of abusing his position.

The lack of MPs affiliated with a party in previous parliaments was widely viewed as a source of instability.

Parliament approved an amended bill, the Political Parties Integrity Act (PPIA), in June 2014 that removed the restrictions on independents.

Individuals ineligible to be candidates included those who held dual citizenship, were executives or members of the Electoral Commission, had an undischarged bankruptcy, had been imprisoned for more than six months, or were under a death sentence.

[22] Following widespread allegations that the electoral roll was incredibly bloated,[23] Prime Minister Lilo introduced a biometric voter registration process before the election.

[27] The Electoral Commission did not make arrangements for citizens studying abroad or individuals who would turn 18 before the election but after the registration deadline to enrol, leaving these cohorts unable to vote.

[39] Prime Minister Lilo's SIPRA campaigned on its record in government and pledged to continue the economic growth.

[42] The dissolution of the ninth parliament occurred on 9 September,[43] and Governor-General Frank Kabui confirmed the election date on 11 October.

[46] Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) claimed to have received anecdotal evidence of some candidates collecting voter ID cards.

After the polls closed, an election official attempted to steal a ballot box as it was being transported near the Malaitan provincial capital of Auki.

[54] The sole incumbent female MP, Vika Lusibaea, who entered parliament following a 2012 by-election, lost re-election.

[62] The Solomon Islands People's Democratic Coalition (SIPDC) nominated first-term MP Jeremiah Manele.

[64] Prime ministerial elections in Solomon Islands are often unpredictable, as MPs are not legally barred from switching parties.

[65] The Solomon Islands Royal Police Force increased security in Honiara and the rest of Guadalcanal in the lead-up to the vote.

[68] Parliament elected former Rennell and Bellona Premier Ajilon Jasper Nasiu as speaker that day.

The group claimed Sogavare had ceased consulting cabinet ministers on policy issues and that he was listening more to "outsiders".

The defectors also claimed the coalition had strayed from its initial goals and expressed concern about Sogavare's chief of staff and nephew, Robson Djokovic's alleged undue influence.

[73][62] On 16 November, parliament elected Rick Houenipwela as prime minister, defeating John Moffat Fugui.