Joe Keshi: West Africa Needs To Manage Electoral Processes, Investigate Allegations

Sierra Leone’s presidential election was held on Saturday with Julius Maada Bio of the ruling party, Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party (SLPP), re-elected for a second term as President of the country.

 It was announced on Tuesday that Bio emerged winner with a total vote of 1,566,932 being 56% of the total votes.

President Bio was immediately sworn in Tuesday night for his final five year tenor.

With 1,148,262 votes cast, or 41.16% of the total, Dr. Samura Kamara of the major opposition APC came in second.  The first round of results were dubbed “daylight robbery” by Dr. Kamara when they were made public on Monday.

 European Union election observers from outside have expressed worry about the lack of transparency in the tallying process. President Bio had urged Sierra Leoneans to “keep the peace” but the voting on Saturday went place amid tense circumstances.

After Marcella Samba Sesay, a member of NEW, stated on national radio yesterday that she would be forced to publish the election results she has in her possession based on her own tally of votes cast across the nation last Saturday, if the Electoral Commission announces false or incorrect results, Sierra Leone’s elections watchdog, NEW, has concluded its press conference in Freetown.

Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) made a statement yesterday that stated that “the results announced by ECSL are based on 60% of polling stations in each district but do not represent 60% of the total votes cast in each district because polling stations vary in size.” NEW claims that this is false.

In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Former Ambassador Joe Keshi stated that though he has a relationship with both Sierra Leonean politicians after over six years in the country, he believes that the issue lies in the hands of the nation’s electoral commission. 

According to Keshi, “We must find a way in West Africa to effectively manage our electoral process. People go out to vote peacefully, with enthusiasm, and eagerly await a credible result. However, electoral officers and commissioners often veer off course and misbehave, posing a significant problem. It is regrettable that the management of elections, especially the counting process, has become increasingly challenging in our region

 “When things go wrong is always at the counting stage  where electoral officers those who are supposed to be the custodians of the safe secure credible election begin to misbehave. When they begin to tamper with the figures. And when you look at the history of Sierra Leone, even the first election that was intended to end the civil  war that president  Kabar won, it was the same thing. I think it’s difficult for anyone in Sierra Leone to just win 57 or 56% or 60% in election because of the polarization of the two parties. These two parties are the strongest parties, they are the oldest parties in the country and they have very credible credentials and personnels on both sides.

“Any allegations of regularities should be properly investigated.”

It was stated that since the previous administration of the SLPP,  inflation in Sierra Leone has hit an all time high as well as the nation’s currency being one of the worst in the nation. On the same interview, Lindsey Barrett, foreign affairs analyst 

“President Bio’s ability as an economic manager may not be as great as we would like, but it was not under his rule that inflation started in Sierra Leone. He inherited a very devastating economic situation, but he has been trying. The opposition party has been trying to bring him down as well.

“What I would say about these allegations is that they could lead to a break down of law and order and they should avoid that by all means. But at the same time one should hope that there would be proper investigations to prove whether these allegations ate true. And the president who has been sworn in quickly for his second term should not stand in the way of these allegations. What it means is that these allegations should be shown to be properly investigated. 

“What we have to hope is that reason will prevail.”

Glamour Adah

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