As the 2012 quinquennial elections draw to a close, Politico here gauges the view of the Chairperson of the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) on their assessment of the just-concluded multi-tier elections. Its Chairman, Dr Abubakarr Kargbo spoke to our reporter, Albert George Sheriff.
Politico: What is your assessment of participation in the elections?
Dr. Kargbo: My assessment of the people's participation in the past elections is excellent. I realized that that there was a massive participation on the part of the people and it is a clear manifestation of the political consciousness of the people of Sierra Leone because some of them were at the polling stations as early as 2 o’clock in the morning to cast their vote. In fact the process was carried out peacefully and as an observer, I did not witness any fracas in terms of people fighting each other over political party support. It also demonstrated that our people are somewhat getting to be tolerant with each other, we need to do more in enhancing such development that is positive for our democracy.
Politico: The voting pattern in previous and the recent elections shows a divided nation which is undermining our democracy. What can the NCD do to change the situation?
Dr. Kargbo: Well, we know that politics before now was mainly based on primordial sentiments. But in the recent past, we have come to the realization that there is a leader that extends a sort of developmental strides to certain regions then, that original idea of stronghold might diminish over time. Yes we still have a voting pattern that is characterized by not only primordial sentiment but ethnicity. I think that one is dying away like I said, if we give economic development in certain areas, I think it could break or minimize that tribal tendency and perhaps certain tribes or regions might be excluded over the years. But what we could do to minimize voting by tribal sentiment would be ensuring inclusion and this inclusion could be having ministers from all the districts, ensuring that people participate effectively, equitable distribution of state resources and also ensuring that each district participates in the developmental strides of the nation that will enhance benefit for the nation. If we do that we can minimize that original tribal sentiment in terms of voting pattern. But it is not an easy task. We know that our people down there think in terms of custom and tradition, there you can have somebody voting the uncle because he is from the same tribe or [secret] society you know but not knowing that it is not based on democratic good governance and principles. We want people to vote a person that could deliver; a person who is not part of his tribe but capable, but that is not an easy task. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It will happen in Sierra Leone.
Politico - What are the consequences or effects of ethnic and region-based politics?
Dr Kargbo - Ethnic politics is not good, although it is natural of people voting in such manner. It will polarize society and it will be a recipe for chaos and anarchy. You have seen in Rwanda and Kenya, it is not good for our politics. Perhaps we might have to look at the electoral system again, we might go back and do more research to see whether the West Minster model of government will be suitable for a people that do not have the political culture, the economic development, the educational will that befit practicing this Western or West Minister type of democracy, we need to do thorough research.
Politico - Is it not a failure on the part of institutions including your commission – NCD – to see the nation vote along regional lines?
Dr Kargbo- No, we have been trying to do our best as you know we have gone everywhere telling people that they should not vote in accordance with tribal sentiment. We have produced a lot of radio jingles, messages telling them but as I said it is not easy to take away that primordial psyche that characterizes our people in the provincial areas even for us in the city. We also have that particular thinking – voting someone because he is our tribesman or goes to the same church or mosque or even members of the same secret society, but this is not good governance. Good governance befits voting somebody who can deliver the goods. This is a problem, but it is not a failure on our part and we have done a lot you can attest to the fact that two years before the elections we started sensitizing people about the elections, we are very happy it came out nicely. We know we have contributed as a commission so if we have more capacity, I think we can do better.
Politico- What is your take on the recent press statement by the opposition SLPP on their boycott of the new parliament and local council?
Dr Kargbo- I don’t want the sort of psyche of exclusion. Politics is competitive, politics is all about cooperation, and politics presupposes that we are not thinking the same but we need to dialogue, we need to compromise. So if you do not want to compromise then I’m afraid we could not practice politics. Even the Western democracy that could boast of developed economy, political culture, where the level of education is far much better than ours, they compromise so much so we in a developing country lack the basic political culture. The economy is under developed and the political culture is yet to be developed, then if we try not to dialogue or compromise, what will be the option. You are the people who are responsible to steer the ship of state, you have to get both government and opposition. The opposition is always there as an alternative and the government is there to rule in accordance with the majority will of the people and also give access to everybody, so they need to cooperate with government and government with opposition (both sides) so that you can carry out the essence of the state. The state was created for a purpose, a social purpose so that everybody could have access, everybody could participate and benefit from the resources of the country, the question of one group alienating itself, I don’t think that is good politics.
Politico- How do you see Sierra Leone’s democracy in the next five years?
Dr Kargbo- I think there is some progress, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, we need to do more to perfect ourselves. We have done three elections without much conflict even the last one without much international presence and then you too were an observer, you realized that comparing past elections the 17th November election was unique, it was a history-making sort of event. I think we are to ensure that we sustain that particular situation; we have to sustain it and sustaining it presupposes compromise, we come together, we dialogue to make things soothe us. Why not look at the constitution, why not look at the electoral system? Politics is not a dirty game as others want us to believe. It’s the finest because it aims at the development of the state.
© Politico 05/12/2012
