Dozens of members and supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party yesterday thronged their party headquarters in Freetown to register their disapproval over the state of internal democracy within the oldest political party in the country.
Carrying placards denouncing any further extension of the mandate of the party’s national executive council, the protesters said they wanted new elections to be conducted to choose their leaders since the current holders of the positions had already been extended three times.
The protest was timed to coincide with a meeting of the national executive led by Dr Prince Harding who later further extended their mandate until December 2021.
Police were called to the scene after the protesters allegedly attacked Dr Harding.
The Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Sovula told Politico that one person was arrested. He would not specify who but said they attacked the police who had asked them to disperse.
“The people misbehaved and when the police tried to disperse them the person arrested hit the police hence the arrest”, the IG said. He would confirm or deny reports that police fired tear gas or live rounds.
According to a short social media write up by the SLPP Public Relations Officer, Lahai Lawrence Leema the National executive Council has extended the tenure of the Executive to December 2021.
“However, once the lower levels in the remaining regions are concluded before December, the extension date can be reviewed by NEC. All executive elections including Southern, North-western, and the North American Regions which have concluded their elections without challenges have been ratified by NEC. Elected officers of the aforesaid regions are now properly seated,” the statement reads.
The Sierra Leone People's party has for the past two months been engaged in lower level elections of the party in the different regions of the country.
Politico could not get the party officials to comment on the incident.
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