By Politico staff writer
The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) in a document widely circulated on social media has highlighted its candidate selection process for the Local Council Elections under the District Block System citing the Public Election Act of 2022, the Local Government Act of 2022 and the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
The guidelines noted that for one to be considered eligible for elections, they must be a citizen of Sierra Leone and a member of the SLPP continuously for at least three years before application for the position.
For Mayoral Candidates under the party’s ticket, they would have to be endorsed by an Electoral College that comprises four Executive Members from every zone namely- Chairman, Secretary, Women’s Leader and Young Generation Leader. Endorsement must also come from all executive members in the city and all district executive members.
In hoping to contest the June polls for the Chairmanship of a District Council, the candidate should have the Electoral College votes of four party chiefdom executive members, all constituency executive members within the district council boundaries, and all members of the party’s district executive
For a Councilor, one must be resident and registered in the ward in which they will be vying for the councilor seat. At the time of such application a candidate should not be a member of constituency, district, region, or national executive of the party.
Explaining the process, it noted that members seeking application shall send to their respective chairmen, regional chairmen men, national chairmen, national secretary general and the presidential nominee a letter expressing their intention, dates they joined the party, and any previous positions held in the party.
It added that eligible aspirants may also submit complaints or concerns about the process at the regular liaison meeting.
One key aspect of the guidelines is the pivotal role the Party’s National Secretariat will play as stated that: “The National Secretariat SHALL award the symbol based on all evidences and consultations which in their opinion, the awardee possesses the qualities to win the seat”.
Imams and chaplains, trustees of the affected constituency, district and region shall constitute a complaint committee in case of seeking redress.
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