By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) which is mandated by law to conduct all elections in Sierra Leone has announced October 28 for the conduct of 120 village head elections, noting that no fresh voter registration will be conducted in that regard.
Speaking to Politico on 19th of September this year, the Deputy Director of Media and Communication of ECSL, Christopher Jones said they are ‘set’ and that ‘planning is on’ for the said election for people residing in the Western Area Rural District.
Jones noted that no other voter registrations will be conducted, but said they are going to verify the voters who participated in the last General Elections and then place their names at the centres they are to vote. “The voter who had voted in 2022 and had showed up in the just concluded June 24th General Elections and is a resident at the village will have to verify all details in the centre at that particular village,’’ he noted.
He said the upcoming village head election is ‘specific’ for those residing in the villages in the Western Area Rural District, noting only those registered voters in those villages and are residents will be allowed to take part in the process.
Jones said those who registered in the Western Urban during the last General Elections will not be allowed to participate.
On whether the ECSL has had the list of names of candidates for the election, he said they haven’t, but that the first interaction with the intended aspirants is to conduct training for them. After the training, Jones said the next stage is nomination, confirming those candidates that will be taking part.
’’The Public Elections Act spells out what are the conditions that qualify an individual to contest for elections,’’ Jones said.
He went on to say that they have not asked any candidate to send an application, but that when the time reaches for nomination they expect the intended candidates to present themselves to the five zones the commission has opened. “After that, we can confirm that the particular person intends to take part in the election,’’ he said, adding that campaigning has not been granted so far and that they are preparing for voter verification and confirmation starting September 21st to 25 September.
On the date of the campaign, he said it would start on 13th October to 26th October.
Jones said all those that will be contesting are independent candidates and that they discourage interference from politicians, saying candidates will not be given party symbols. “We can show different symbols, like fish, wheelbarrow, broom among others, to the candidates for them to make a choice based on how they apply,’’ he said.
On the issue of security, he said ECSL is collaborating with the Sierra Leone Police for the conduct of the election.
After voting would have closed on the 28th of October, he said the tallying would start on the said date. After the tallying, Jones said the Chief Electoral Commissioner will announce the results.
Copyright (2023) Politico (20/09/23)
