The Director of Media and Communications of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Philip F. Kargbo has assured electorates in Kailahun of free, fair and nonviolence by-elections.
His comment came following the political violence and tension that arose between supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and an Independence candidate that led to the death of one person in Constituency 010 in Kailahun District.
The three candidates contesting the Parliamentary by-election in Constituency 010 are: John Allieu of the APC, Zainab Kama Braima of the SLPP, and an Independent Candidate Ibrahim Sylvester Jusu Hengela. The Parliamentary and local council bye-elections are scheduled for February 27, 2021.
Kargbo told this media that, on Saturday they held joint stakeholders meeting organized by the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) and NEC in Segbwema with Democratic Institutions which comprise representatives of Democratic Institutions, Office of National Security (ONS), Human Right Commission – Sierra Leone (HRC-SL), National Commission for Democracy (NCD), National Elections Watch (NEW), Paramount Chiefs, Chiefdom Authorities, and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), including political stakeholders.
He said that the meeting came as a result of the tensed political atmosphere in Constituency 010 in Kailahun which led to homicide. He said that at the meeting, stakeholders pledged to continue their campaign peaceful ahead of the February 27 by-elections.
He said that the Saturday meeting was successful, and it was the first time for the Independence Candidate to come out of his hiding place and publicly showed up for public meeting, adding that the Paramount Chiefs and the political stakeholders, including candidates committed to a peaceful and non-violence election in the constituency and Ward as a whole.
The Director of Media and Communications said that after the Saturday meeting, the candidates have started their campaigning again, adding that the Independence candidates has been given security. “Since Saturday we have not heard of any situation of violence, which serve as an assurance that the stakeholders are committed to a peaceful and non-violence election,” he said. He added that there is currently political tolerance among the candidates. He assured that there is adequate security
Kargbo maintained that the recent violence serves as a caution that NEC should create a level playing field, which they have done, adding that NEC will do what is within the ambit of the law. He called on all those whose names are in the final voters register to go out and vote on February 27, 2021. “If people do not have that assurance, they will be afraid to go out and vote,” he said. “The security sectors have assured that they will provide adequate security before, during and after the elections.”
He added PPRC have also assured of creating a level playing field for all candidates.
“We want to assure the general public that, as NEC we will follow all our procedures. The Regional Returning Officer will announce the preliminary results on Sunday; and on Tuesday, the National Returning Officer and Chief Electoral Commissioner of NEC, Mr. Mohamed K. Konneh will announce the final results,” he said. “Nobody should be hesitant to come out and cast his or her vote.”
He encouraged all registered voters in constituency 010 and Ward 012 to come out and vote.
By Stephen V. Lansana
23/02/2021. ISSUE NO: 8007