By Politico Staff Writer
Following widespread reports of rising tension in towns and villages in the Western Area Rural District ahead of the Village Head Elections, the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of Waterloo Police Division, and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ibrahim Mohamed Sama has called on Candidates to uphold peace before, during and after the election.
The Village Head elections are slated for Saturday 28th October, 2023.
The LUC in partnership with the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Office of National Security (ONS), summoned over 200 candidates to the Police Division on the 25th of October, 2023.
LUC Sama discouraged candidates from engaging in acts of violence or sponsoring violence. He instead encouraged them to channel their concerns to the appropriate authorities, saying the Police would create an enabling environment for peaceful elections.
“On election day, we will work in line with the instructions of the ECSL concerning the conduct of the election," he said.
The District Security Coordinator of ONS, Patrick Lamin advised the various candidates to conduct themselves according to the established electoral laws. He told them not to mix Village Head elections with national politics.
We encourage you to be peaceful and to respect the will of the people," he said.
On her part, the Assistant District Elections Manager for Western Area Rural, ECSL Desiatu Thomas stated that "elections are not a do or die affair." She promised that the Commission would conduct credible, free, fair, and transparent elections.
One of the candidates for Tombo Village Head, Isatu Bankole Morgan, noted that she and colleague female candidates have been receiving insults, threats, harassment, and provocation from supporters of other candidates. She then called for calm in the forthcoming elections.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (27/10/23)
