By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has on Saturday 18th June, 2022 at the UNIMAK hall in Makeni, northern Sierra Leone successfully elected new executive members to lead the organization for the next three years.
It comes after two consecutive days of deliberations by the group on national issues and the welfare of journalists in the country, leading to discussions on quality journalism that promote democracy and good governance.
At the national level, votes were casted in favour of Umu Hawa Bakarr as the Public Affairs Secretary of the association. She polled a total of two hundred and one (201) votes while his contender Michael Kapindi Jamiru got one hundred and thirteen (113) votes. Umu replaces another woman, Princess Gibson who has been in that position over the past years. Jamiru has since accepted the result of the election, hoping for a better comeback in subsequent elections.
Alhaji Manika Kamara, the former Deputy Secretary General also defeated his former boss Mohamed Asmieu Bah by polling two hundred and thirty seven (237) votes out of a total of three hundred and eighteen (318) votes for the position of Secretary General. Bah in return congratulated Kamara, saying that he is willing to support the work of the Association when necessary.
On regional positions such as that of the Secretary General North, Marrah Mamoud won over his opponent Mohamed Mansaray, while Bangah Sylvester got elected Vice Chairman East over his opponent, Ibrahim Kikiwai Musa. Sylvester will be assisting a woman Chairperson in the east Francess Barnard whose candidacy went unopposed.
Sukainatu Walters is the new Financial Secretary North after defeating her opponent Jannie Kamara. Chairmanship for the Southern region was grabbed by Mustapha Abu Bakarr defeating Kurabu Jonathan. He polled 35 votes out of a total of 64 votes cast.
Announcing the results, the Chief Electoral Commissioner, of SLAJ Electoral Commission (SLAJEC), Zainab Iyamide Joaquee said the elections were generally peaceful and orderly and expressed gratitude to the entire membership of SLAJ for their cooperation and general comportment during the electioneering period.
“The Commission had a Voter Register of 365 members who were eligible to vote. However, a total number of three hundred and twenty-six (326) members voted in the election. The Commission received 200 proxy votes for various positions. There were 6 invalid votes. Voter turnout was 89.3%,” she said.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla will continue to lead the group as its President after his nomination went uncontested. This is the second term of office for Nasralla as President of SLAJ. Nasralla has been described by many as a lucky man under whose watch decades of dreams and aspirations of the association such as the repeal of the criminal and seditious libel law (Part 5 of the Public Order Act) have been realized together with the numerous transformations in the profession.
Speaking in an interview after the elections, Umu Hawa Bakarr said her victory over her male contender is a signal to not just SLAJ but the country as a whole. She said women supporting women and women solidarity will yield better results if only it is practicalised. “For a man to contest against a woman only shows that I am a brave person, a warrior,” she said.
Manika on the other hand described his victory as a win for SLAJ, saying that the association needs a leader like him who can dedicate his time and energy to serve the association. He committed to continue his diligent service to the association which gave him an edge over his predecessor, noting that he will always tap into the knowledge of his former boss where necessary for the effective running of the association which he said is bigger than their individual interests and differences.
Copyright ©Politico Online (20/06/22)
