By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Key stakeholders-Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), National Commission for Democracy (NCD), and the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NACCED) have held a consultative meeting to raise awareness of citizen’s knowledge on the Proportional Representation (PR) system and promoting peace and tranquility in the forthcoming multi-tier elections in the country.
The meeting with the theme: “Understanding the Proportional Representation System for Peaceful Elections’’, was held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on the 19th of June 2023.
In his opening statement, the Head of Programmes at IDEA, Idrissa Tarawallie (Ph.D) recalled a high panel discussion they held on the 8th of June, 2023 which brought together all critical stakeholders working on the electoral space, to talk about the state of preparedness for the elections.
He said it’s relevant that state institutions such as NACCED and NCD collaborate on important state issues and electoral processes.
“Today NACCED and NCD decided to know to what extent citizens understand the PR system and how they go to the elections as a united family,” he said.
He noted that they are very happy for interventions of such nature due to the fact that democracy is not just about elections but also about developing a culture that seeks to consolidate democracy.
He said the work of NACCED in ensuring that citizens are educated in their civic culture and participate meaningfully in the democratic process, is very crucial.
The NCD representative, Benjamin Macfoy commended the organizers and sponsors for such engagement at this crucial time of the electioneering process, more so when voters are so challenged in understanding what the PR system is all about.
The Chairman of NACCED, Kalilu Totangi noted that the stakeholders meeting was a result of a perception survey done by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) which stated that only 41% of Sierra Leoneans knew how the PR system works. He attributed the low percentage to the electoral calendar that did not allow politicians to discuss the process with their people earlier.
He said with support from IDEA and the European Union (EU), they have trained a little over 3,000 (three thousand) young people all over the country on the PR system. He added that they have put up three animations to sensitize people on how to vote so that the number of void votes could be reduced.
In his address, Chairman of the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) Abdulai Masianbay Bangura stated that peace is not about a particular person or institution but about everyone. He advised state institutions and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to sensitize and reduce the gullibility of people that most often politicians would want to take advantage of.
He recalled a meeting between the commission and Political Parties on banning street rallies which he said saw people accusing them of trampling on their right to assemble and associate and noted that those rights have limitations. He said during that meeting, they deliberated on the negativities that surround street rallies and an agreement was reached that at least for this electoral calendar they should be put on hold.
Bangura went on to state that after so much lambasting from the public, at last people were pleased with the commission after seeing the need to ban street rallies.
The Chief of Staff of the Office of National Security (ONS) Languba Keili explained that elections are a hallmark of good governance that helps build a nation’s democratic credentials. He stated that post-war Sierra Leone has come a long way in conducting free, fair, and peaceful elections which outcomes have been acclaimed internationally.
He urged all to refrain from all forms of violence, intimidation, and intolerance because of politics, saying the peace and stability of the country rest in the citizens’ hands.
The Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Hawa Samai noted that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NACCED, PPRC, ECSL, and NCD to promote peace and non-violence during the elections. She said the commission has been engaging with peace coalitions and ten mediators per district to enhance peace and tranquility.
A panel discussion by key stakeholders on public awareness about the PR System was a key highlight of the consultative meeting.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (21/06/23)
