By Mohamed Macarthy
In an effort to create a healthy political atmosphere during electioneering periods, the National Political Debates Committee (NPDC) has updated journalists on their debates plans for the local council, parliamentarian, and presidential elections ahead of the 2022 local council and the 2023 general elections.
The Chairman of the National Political Debates Committee (NPDC), who doubles as the National President for Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said NPDC aims at strengthening democratic processes and enhancing Sierra Leoneans make informed decisions.
He said that NPDC will be inviting all the seventeen (17) registered political parties and each party will be allowed to send two representatives to debate on behalf of their political parties.
Nasralla disclosed that an orientation workshop will be organised for the political party representatives two days before the debate; adding that NPDC intends to conduct a social media survey to assess the organizational and management abilities of the NPDC to organize political debates to promote a culture of debates in the country.
Speaking at the press conference, Lucien Momoh said they will be inviting fifty-sixty live audiences and the debate will be broadcast and simulcast live through the Independent Radio Network (IRN) across the country.
Momoh noted that the event will be covered by AYV TV, SLBC TV, and Star TV in order to ensure that every Sierra Leonean has access to view the debate. He added that all political parties will be given a week to submit a list of their representatives.
Abigail Stevens, a member of the Committee said the debate will be moderated by someone who is well abreast with national issues and with a high caliber backed up with huge professional standards to ensure that the debate is unbiased and transparent.
Stevens said that a platform will be created for all to ask questions to the participants but that the number of questions to be asked will be determined by the moderator of the debate.
Momoh said that the successes of the 2018 general elections were a result of the presidential debate that was held prior to the election wherein leaders from their respective political parties were asked sensitive and crucial questions by the audience and moderator.
He added that they are very concerned about the outcomes of the 2023 election as the current political atmosphere continues to rise within the country.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 17/12/21
