By Mustapha Sesay
The Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) has advised members of the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) to re-do their lower level elections in 32 constituencies where there were controversies over the credibility of the process.
PPRC got involved in the process after some officials of the party filed a complaint to the commission expressing dissatisfaction of the conduct of the elections, thus requesting for an investigation.
Some of the concerns raised in the letter sent to PPRC by Dr Abass Bundu, SLPP Chairman North and others, bordered on malpractice and alleged involvement of the party’s executive members in the conduct of the elections of constituency executive members.
“A letter dated 23 June 2016 that the National Chairman and Leader wrote the Inspector-General of Police in which he grossly interfered with the proper conduct of the elections in five constituencies in the Kenema District and enlisted the police to assist to give effect to his interference,” the letter to PPRC reads in part.
The lower level elections are key to the party officials because those elected at lower level would constitute member delegates that would elect the next flag bearer of the party in August this year.
Lawrence Lahai Leema, SLPP’s acting spokesman, told Politico that they were demanding a redo of the elections in places where the alleged abnormalities occurred because they saw it as a recipe for undermining their party’s democratic credential. Leema said that as a party they were also not happy with the actions of the party chairman, Chief Sumanon Kapen, for allegedly ordering the police not to allow a redo of the election, an allegation the SLPP chairman has declined to comment on.
“I am not in position to comment, contact Leema, the Publicity Secretary,” Sumanon Kapen told Politico on the phone when the issued was raised.
Leema said the outcome of PPRC verdict was considered as process for the party and that they were ready to address the anomalies they had earlier complained about and present the party as formidable entity to contest the 2018 elections.
Mohamed Lansana Kallon is former Member of Parliament (MP) and current constituency chairman for constituent 007 in Kailahun District, one of the constituencies where there was disagreement over the conduct of the election. He told Politico that he was not expecting a redo of the lower level election in his constituency because he did his best to ensure transparency throughout the process. But he added that he would accept any decision from his party and the PPRC.
“Once the decision is coming from my party and the PPRC, we will redo it in the interest of peace within the party, but I think we did our best during the past lower level election,” The former law maker said.
Kallon, on the other hand, stand accused by some SLPP members in the constituency of being strong a supporter of former SLPP flag bearer, and one time head of state, Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.
Kallon did not rule out entirely his allegiance to the SLPP strong man, but he dismissed suggestions that he was bias in anyway during the elections.
“I am a human being and I am supporting somebody in the party. Some of the aspiring candidates, including KKY, Maada Bio and Allie Kabbah, have visited us. And I am doing my job also openly and transparently,” Kallon remarked.
© Politico 20/07/16
