Dear His Excellency,
RESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRPERSONS: THE POLITICAL PARTY REGISTRATION (PPRC) AND THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION, SIERRA LEONE RESPECTIVELY (ECSL).
I write to draw your attention on the above subject. I believe you have received your voter identification card and you are fully aware of the restriction imposed on political rallies highlighted by the Chairman of the PPRC, Abdulai Masiambay Bangurah Esq.
Sir, with reference to the reception accorded to the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) fact-finding and assessment missions in Sierra Leone ahead of the June 24 elections, you categorically stated that you have broadened the democratic space since April 2018 to date; you have removed the death penalty and the Criminal Libel Law. Taking the statement into consideration, I want to contest that the said statement did not reflect the present political trend on the ground in Sierra Leone. Amid the removal of the death penalty, extra-judicial killings were done by your present Sierra Leones Peoples’ Party (SLPP) government. Journalists and other opinion leaders continue to answer the call of the police on publications considered inimical to the State or the police, the armed forces and other security institution.
Sir, it conspicuously clear that the ECSL as flouted the integrity of their mission to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent and peaceful elections, if the current voters identification cards were to assess the position of trust of which the nation has always placed them.
Sir, the present voter identification cards have depicted corruption and insensitivity of the commission in the accomplishment of their responsibility as an independent electioneering institution. Photos of holders of these cards are completely blurred and worst of it; they are printed in black and white, with thousands milling.
Sir, we saw the registration process of voters which were madly marred with corruption and dissatisfactions. Hired staffers of the commission were seen crossing international boundaries to conduct registration of voters in the sister republic of Liberia with impunity and levity, as if Liberia is part of our electioneering process.
Sir, we have had rumours of financial misappropriation surrounding the printing of the voters’ identification cards by the ECSL. It is timely for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to speedy look into the allegation of $10,000,000.00 given to the ECSL for the printing of the said identification cards. Transparency and accountability should be the watch words of all democratic institutions including the ACC. There should be no sacred cow and all cows must be brought to the abattoir. Leaving the issue till the end of investigation is aiding and abetting financial misappropriation. The ACC must come now to investigate. We have heard the defence of the ECSL Commissioner Mohamed K. Konneh and we need further clarifications to either tie him or exonerate him from any financial impropriety as far as inconstancies relating to the quality and standard of voter ID are concerned.
Sir, I believe you are aware of the restriction on political rallies, of which does not affect your political campaign. Your wife Dr. Fatima Maada Bio was seen in occasions conducting political campaigns in the light of this restriction. Yet, no one attempted to stop or arrest her. The nation is fully aware of the harassment the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) is faced with in the implementation of PPRC’s restricted laws. With a clear conscience, is this broadening of the democratic space, when the rights of other political parties are not fully considered and allowed to constructively exercise of their rights to opinions, views and put their campaign messages across to the electorate? But thank God the ECOWAS and AU fact-finding and assessment mission are here to assess the political situation in a thermosphere of tight democratic space ahead of the approaching elections.
Sir, in accordance with the democratic space you have highlighted, this should serve as a justification to relieve the two Chairmen for the ECSL and the PPRC from their respective positions as they have violated the democratic space you purported to have created.
Sir, this time around, we need peaceful elections to guarantee the moral integrity of our nation in the maintenance of peace and tranquillity. The two institutions, ECSL and PPRC must be completely scrutinized to deliver the expectation of the people. They should not take sides to support the incumbency but to support the democracy of our beloved Sierra Leone.
Sir, the ECSL should be probed of any alleged financial misappropriation in the printing of the voter identification cards. Doing this will maintain transparency and accountability. Those guilty of misappropriation must face the full penalty of the law.
Sir, to conclude it is highly recommended that these PPRC and the ECSL chairmen should take the back seats and study the trend of a true democracy, devoid of manipulation.
Sir, as moral guarantor of our sacred constitution, it is of due concern that you act swiftly. I wait to hear from you.
Please accept the regard of my highest sentiments.
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
Maada Kapindi M’boma.
