By State House Media and Communications Unit
President Dr Julius Maada Bio has joined other political party flagbearers to sign the elections pledge as candidate for the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party, SLPP, recommitting to the peaceful conduct of the June 24 elections.
The initiative and signing, witnessed by key national and international stakeholders, including the diplomatic community in Sierra Leone, was part of the established support for electoral dialogue and conflict avoidance provided to member states by the Commonwealth Secretariat through the Secretary-General’s Good Offices for Peace.
The Commonwealth has encouraged similar efforts in the past, most recently in Nigeria ahead of the 2023 elections, helping to support a peaceful electoral process in that country. This pledge in Sierra Leone will build upon these previous successes and utilise some of the lessons learned.
Convened by the Inter-Religious Council and the National Council of Paramount Chiefs, the Electoral Pledge is supported by international stakeholders and a coalition of civil society organisations.
Before the signing proper, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, emphasised the need for political party leaders to publicly commit to upholding peace before, during and after the upcoming elections and to use the judicial system for any electoral disputes.
“Governing takes enormous courage, skill and heart, and I applaud all the candidates who have put themselves forward and all those who sign this election pledge.
“Presidential candidacy comes with a solemn responsibility, because the office of the President is a sacred trust. And this election pledge goes far beyond symbolism. It is a promise each candidate makes before the country and the people they strive to serve: to put the nation first, to work together, prioritise the national interests and the unity of Sierra Leone.”
The Electoral Pledge has been convened by the Inter-Religious Council and the National Council of Paramount Chiefs and is being supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the African Union Commission; as well as a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (National Election Watch); the Eminent Women Peace Mediators Sierra Leone; the National Youth Commission; the Office of the National Security Coordinator; the Political Party Regulatory Commission; the Sierra Leone Bar Association; the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists and the Sierra Leone Union on Disability.
