Report reaching FORUM last evening have it that Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), has finally bowed to pressure mounted on the commission by the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) in respect of the release of the real aggregated voters’ registration to all political parties contesting tomorrow Saturday June 24 elections.
One of APC political heavyweight, Dr Richard Konteh in video and voice note recorded Thursday 22 June informed that that the preferred voter registration data with other thorny issues that the APC has been raising concerns for was resolved in principles subject to final ratification and was handed over to the opposition party by the ECSL. He encourages APC party followers that they can still vote with a voter I.D. card.
Dr Konteh said individuals must approach polling centres in their respective constituencies where he/she registered and produce an identification to justify the individual right and legitimacies to vote and be voted for.
“We have also agreed with the Sierra Leone Police, the Political Party Regulations Commission (PPRC) and the Peace Commission that all supporters and members who have been detained across the country must be released immediately to enable them to return to their various destinations and constituencies to enable them vote, he said, and adds, “We are in receipt of the list of all members and supporters detained across the country.”
He added that the international committee has deployed over four thousand (4,000) international observers to monitor the conduct of the electioneering process, adding that the observers are seriously monitoring the elections. He noted that the observers remain very much determined to prosecute anyone caught in any form of political violence and rigging will face the International Criminal Court.
He said apart from the foreign observers, the National Election Watch-NEW will also made themselves visible in all polling stations and centres across the country. Dr Konteh further disclosed that the ECSL has agreed to do manual counting of votes in all centres and polling stations and result announce as soon as the process is done at a specific centre.
The APC, he explained has put together twenty-five thousand (25,000) party agents that he noted will be deployed in all polling stations and centres across the country and assured all their security and that of the votes. He encouraged APC party loyalists to report incidences to 0012406060031.
On behalf of the leadership and the presidential standard bearer, Dr Richard Konteh extended the party’s deepest sympathy to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives during the Wednesday 21 June peaceful march. He prayed for their departed souls to rest in peace and perpetual light continue to shine on them.
Dr Konteh disclosed that the party has set up a situation room with 0012406060031 as the numbers that supporters and members of the party should call to report incidences, while assuring that there will be a specific person to respond to calls.
He added that WhatsApp groups set up for the purpose of information sharing, and told the public that the party presidential candidate, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara has called on all and sundry to return to their various destinations in preparations for Saturday voting.
