News

By Nasratu Kargbo

Twelve Commonwealth Observers will be deployed across the country tomorrow ahead of June 24 according to the Chairman of the Commonwealth Observers Group, Yemi Osinbajo.  

Osinbajo at a press conference held on the 19^th of June 2023 said “From the 22 of June, we will deploy our observers in small teams across various parts of the country to observe the voting; counting, and results process, as well as meet with other stakeholders in respective locations”.

By Ruth Yeabu Sesay

The Secretary of Help Empower Polio Persons Organization PWD Chapter, Pademba Road, Freetown, Yayah Sheku Sheriff says they are looking forward to a peaceful, transparent and credible election which is free of violence.

Sheriff told Politico that as people who are physically challenged, they could be adversely affected in the event of violence, and said they hope whosoever emerges as winner should be accepted, and allowed to continue with the development of Sierra Leone.

Justice Adrian Fisher has refused the first bail application made in the High Court by Lawyer Roland Wright on behalf of former Skye Bank Manager Ikubolaje Nicol, who is indicted for the alleged murder of junior co-worker, Ms. Sinnah Kai Kargbo. The judge said the application did not meet the standard required.  Justice Fisher said if granted bail the life of the accused will be put at risk.

By Prince J Musa in Kenema

Commissioner of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Mustapha Sesay has sternly warned journalists against inciting reportage during the electioneering process that has the tendency to cause mayhem.  

Speaking on the 20^th June 2023 at a training for journalists on electioneering reporting, Sesay ‘said ‘’IMC will not compromise with any media practitioner or institution that will cause insecurity during and after the elections’’.  

By Chernor Alimamy Kamara

Key stakeholders-Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), National Commission for Democracy (NCD), and the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NACCED) have held a consultative meeting to raise awareness of citizen’s knowledge on the Proportional Representation (PR) system and promoting peace and tranquility in the forthcoming multi-tier elections in the country.

By Nasratu Kargbo

The Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) has in its Sierra Poll dated 14th June 2023 predicted the outcome of the June 24 elections this year.

The Poll explained that according to the interviews conducted, the Flagbearer of the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) President Julius Maada Bio is projected to win by 56%, which is slightly above the minimum threshold of 55% required to avoid a presidential runoff. 

By Mabinty Kamara

Claim: A video posted on social media claimed that a child was beaten because she was wearing a red t-shirt.

Verdict: the claim is misleading; the child was not beaten because of wearing a red t-shirt.  

Methodology

To verify these claims, SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact-checkers contacted the Sierra Leone Police and colleague journalists in Mile 19 in Tonkolili district, northern Sierra Leone.