By Nasratu Kargbo
Presidential Candidate and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC) Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara has said they would want an independent internationally accredited team of electoral commissioners to conduct the election if the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) do not meet their demands.
Kamara made this statement at a press conference organized by their party on the 14th of June 2023, he explained that they have given the ECSL and the government a three-day ultimatum to adhere to their six demands, stressing that if they do not do so, the Chief Electoral Commissioner and other commissioners should resign and be replaced with internationally accredited commissioners that will conduct a fresh electoral process.
Amongst the demands made, the Presidential Candidate stated that the ECSL should in a bid to restore trust in the electoral process, allow the support of independent technical assistants from international partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Kamara said that as required by law, they want the commission to guarantee that the counting of ballots, tallying and verification of results will first take place at polling centres. He added that the tallying of votes must be conducted transparently through manual processes in the presence of party agents, and local and international observers.
The Leader said that they should be provided with ECSL’s data management structure, proposed tallying system and protocols for the 24th June 2023 elections, explaining that it will help them understand how the commission intends to manage and process electoral data, and how results will be tallied and announced. He said this is to enhance the transparency and integrity of the results
Speaking on one of their demands, Kamara said “The ECSL should immediately release the disaggregated and comprehensive final voter register detailing the centre names, codes, districts, voter names, ages, addresses, citizenships identifiable photos and fingerprints/signatures”.
He stated that with support from the international community, they want internationally -recognized electoral judges to be deployed in order for them to swiftly adjudicate electoral disputes.
In addition, the APC Leader emphasized that the government should ensure the safety and security of all voters before, during and after the elections, adding that they must also guarantee that there will be no disruptions or shutdown of the internet and declaration of a state of emergency during those times.
He said, “Several of ECSL’s actions and inactions relating to the management of the electoral processes have irreparably ripped apart its integrity, independence and public trust in its capacity to conduct free, fair, inclusive, credible elections which are acceptable to the citizens of this country”.
Kamara noted that the ECSL has ignored their concerns and complaints. “I wish to reiterate that the All Peoples Congress (APC) and its supporters will not accept any election results tainted by rigging or manipulation,” he said.
The National Secretary General Lanssana Dumbuya said they have had serious attacks, and have reported to the police but that they have not been able to act accordingly.
“The APC wants a free, fair, non-violent and credible election,” said Dumbuya.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (16/06/23)
