By Hasbin Shaw
The National Security Coordinator of the Office of National Security (ONS), Abdulai Caulker, has revealed that the National Security Council Coordinating Group at ONS, in collaborations with the security sector has developed plans, to tackle the risk of violence during and after the 2023 Parliamentary, Presidential and Local Council elections.
Caulker explained that prior to the declaration and publication of the campaign calendar by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), the sector had developed a Third Assessment and mapping across the 16 districts of Sierra Leone.
He said that the Third Assessment and mapping includes: Election Security Strategy, Election’s Frame Manual and Congregation Strategy, which he said they had rolled out to their security apparatus, to ensure that the country has a peaceful election.
He made this revelation on Sunday May 21, 2023, on Lamina Sankoh Street in Freetown, in a meeting held by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), in Collaboration with Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), and along with 13 represented political parties, and representatives of CSOs etc.
He said that the mandate of the sector is to create the enabling environment for peace to thrive in the country, and added that that is why they have put plans in place to supports the ECSL in conducting a credible, fair and transparent election.
He said “The ‘Third Assessments mapping’ is essential because it tackles sensitive issues that have been factors of violence incidence in previous elections.”
He said “The ‘Third Assessments mapping’ tackles the issue of political intolerance because we want to ensure that political parties are tolerant in this election.”
He said “The other one is the issue of hate speech which is another factor that has been causing so many troubles during elections. We want to warn everyone to avoid hate speeches in political forums; this alone could cause chaos and unrest for the peace of the country, we will respond adequately to anyone who would want to make whatsapp audios that contain hate speech to threaten the peace and stability of the country. Sierra Leone is a law abiding country and we want all and sundry to respect the due process of the law.”
“The other one is divisive regional and tribal basis; let us all avoid boosting tribal regional and divisive messages because it is not good for our politics and it will divide us. Let us make sure that beyond the election campaign, nothing happens in terms of crisis,” he furthered.
He added that the sector has trained security forces and has developed a pocket guide which he said is called; a small booklet that contains DOs and DON’Ts that will be shared amongst political parties, in order that they could conduct themselves well during the electoral processes.
He further advised all political parties to minimize the use of Marshalls, citing that having too many of them could cause unrest. He said “The security sector is prepared to ensure that all political parties are given security forces during the course of the elections.”
He claimed that politicians are in the habit of supplying drugs to their supporters, which he said also causes disorderly behavior.“The supply of drugs and other intoxicant to supporters during elections will also be highly targeted; because we are well prepared to take action against anyone found intoxicated with drugs during elections.”
He warns the public to desist from announcing elections results if not permitted, and cautioned them that the only person authorized to announce elections results is the National Returning Officer of ECSL, through the Independent Radio Network (IRN) only.
He said that Radio stations and persons which are not authorized to announce election’s results will face penalty this time around.
He explained that the 991 National Security link and the District Control Command Center, as well as the Board Control Points for both the districts and Regional Headquarters in case of any problem, had been reactivated.