By Nasratu Kargebo
The National Electoral Commissioner Western Region, Zainab Umu Moseray has on Tuesday16th November 2021 been sworn into office.
In her statement after taking oath, the Commissioner said: “It is indeed an honor to be appointed to serve in such a distinguished capacity; I do not take it lightly”. Moseray promised that she will dispense her duty with excellence and diligence, guarded by the fear of God and love for country. She thanked President Julius Maada Bio for reposing trust and confidence in her to serve in such a capacity.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Bio spoke on the enormity of the task being placed on the Commissioner’s shoulders, and said “I know you have strong shoulders to carry this on, you are a resolute person”. He noted that she has a team to support her at the commission and also assured her of the government’s support.
The President said her job is difficult, but advised that new Commissioner works with her team in order to provide Sierra Leoneans the best as far as elections are concerned. He said it is easy for people to criticize state institutions. “We have done our best, and I think you have been doing a good job”, he said.
President Bio encouraged the commission to continue their job and believed if the country’s democracy is to survive and thrive, the team should work together. He congratulated the Commissioner and wished her the best in her tenure.
The nomination of the Commissioner was earlier followed by controversy in the house of Parliament, where some members of three opposition parties, All People’s Congress (APC) , National Grand Coalition (NGC) and Coalition for Change (C4C), walked out of the house in protest. They complained that they were not consulted about Moseray’s nomination for the job and also questioned her integrity to manage such an office fairly, without prejudice.
Both APC and NGC MPs said that they had earlier written a letter to the Chairman of the Committee on appointments and public service, Mattew Sahr Nyuma, alleging that the proposed NEC commissioner was involved in a corruption incident, while she was working at the Political Parties Registration Commission as Registrar.
Leader of NGC, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumukella said 13 out of 17 political parties expressed concerns about how the appointment process was done and claimed his party was among those not consulted.
Nyuma said he had told the Clerk of parliament to write a letter to the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, to investigate and report to Parliament about the said corruption allegations. According to him, the ACC replied later indicating no evidence against Moseray and was therefore cleared. When responding to the issue of consultation by the President before the appointment, Nyuma said seven political parties acknowledged receiving consultative correspondence from the office of President, before her nomination, with only three saying they were not consulted.
Copyright © Politico Online 17/11/21
