APC will not Challenge Election Outcome in Court
By Alusine Sesay
Sierra Leone’s main opposition party says it will not challenge the outcome of the June 24 multi-tier elections in court because it has lost faith in the judiciary.
The country’s electoral law says challenges can be filed up to seven days after results are announced. By this provision, the opposition has less than 24 hours to challenge the outcome of the result.
President Julius Maada Bio was re-elected to a second term with 56% of the vote, narrowly avoiding a run-off against main rival Samura Kamara, who had about 41%, according to the official tally. The APC standard-bearer Kamara has rejected the outcome, saying the results were not credible.
European Union election observers in Sierra Leone said there were “statistical inconsistencies” in the presidential results published by the electoral commission, which declared President Julius Maada Bio the winner of Saturday’s vote.
The APC Publicity Secretary, Sidi Yaya Tunis told Premier News on Monday, June 3, 2023 that “why should we challenge the outcome of the election in court when we still have cases which are still undecided by the court.”
He said that besides, the party has demanded the resignation of the Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, accusing him of disregard for his constitutional duties and aligning himself “with the undemocratic aspirations of Julius Maada Bio”.
He said, “How can we entrust such a person to preside our petition?” he asked rhetorically.
The leadership of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party has on Friday declared that it will not participate in all the levels of governance, including the legislature and local councils, in protest against their belief that the results of the June 24 general elections had been tampered with to the advantage of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) thus giving the latter an unjust majority at all levels.
The APC unequivocally rejected the announced results of the recently concluded multi-tier elections in Sierra Leone, “given the glaring irregularities and violations of established electoral procedures”.
“The APC declares its non-participation in any level of governance, including the legislature and local councils, as the results have already been tampered with to give the SLPP an unjust majority at all levels,” APC emphasized. “We demand the resignation of Mr. Mohamed Konneh and all the other commissioners of the ECSL based on demonstrated bias and failure to conduct their duties impartially.”
APC has insisted on a rerun of the elections within six months to be overseen by credible individuals and institutions who will ensure a fair and transparent process.
APC has also demanded the resignation of the following: Fayia Sellu, the Inspector-General of Police; Major General Patrick Lavahun, the Chief of Defence Staff; Abdulai Caulker, the National Security Coordinator; Francis Langumba Keili, the Chief of Staff of the Office of the ONS; and Desmond Babatunde Edwards, the Chief Justice.
“These individuals have shown a clear disregard for their constitutional duties and have instead aligned themselves with the undemocratic aspirations of Julius Maada Bio,” The APC said.