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Sierra Leone election: Sierra Leone presidential election 2023 results update between Samura Kamara and Julius Maada Bio
Di Chief Electoral Commissioner of di Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mohamed Konneh don announce di partial result for di kontri presidential election wey hold on Saturday.
E say di partial result represent 60% of results wey dem tally across di kontri.
For di result wey di ECSL boss announce, SLLP Maada Bio dey lead with 1,067, 666 votes while APC Kamara Samura dey follow wit 793,751 votes.
Di electoral umpire say dem go announce di remaining 40% results in di next 48 hours.
Earlier for one interview wit AYV Oga Konneh confam say di commission don make progress so far in tallying di results across regional centers throughout di kontri.
E also add say di operation dey go on in a transparent manner as political party observers, media, international and national observers dey observe di electoral process.
In response to calls say make dem project di results across tallying centers, Konneh explain say di commission no make any provisions for projecting figures.
However, e tok say dem dey print out collated results and dem dey give data to observers for various stages of di process.
Sierra Leoneans eagerly dey wait for di results of di presidential election wey hold on 24 June, 2023.
E neva clear who dey lead for di presidential race between President Julius Maada Bio and im main rival, Samura Kamara, but both of dem don claim victory for di election.
Election observers don tell di kontri pipo to dey calm and wait for di official results. But pipo dey worry as dem neva announce di results.
Di European Union mission don ask di electoral commission to provide “full transparency during di tabulation of results” to ease tensions.
Di Carter Center also don express concern on top “reports wey show lack of transparency during parts of di tabulation process”, di AFP news agency quote dem.
Di winner of di election must secure 55% of di valid votes cast, otherwise run-off go dey between di top two candidates two weeks afta di announcement of di results.
Sierra Leoneans eagerly dey wait for di results of di presidential election wey hold on 24 June, 2023.
13 candidates bin contest for di presidential seat, including di incumbent president, Julius Maada Bio, wey wan go for second term in office.
Di announcement of di election results dey expected to be significant milestone for di kontri, as e dey seek to maintain dia democratic stability and progress following years of political instability and civil war.
Di voting start on Saturday, 24 June for polling stations across di kontri.
Plenty pipo bin turn out for di Saturday general election, voters tell BBC say di process dey smooth even though ballots open for late hours for many areas.
For some polling stations wia polls no open on time, voting continue until past 5:00pm to ensure say everybody wey dey queue vote. For some polling stations like St. Anns School, voting continue until 11:30pm and officials count di votes for di presence of party agents and observers.
For Western Rural, one detta police officer wey dem station for centre code 15012 R.E.C Primary School, Waterloo bin stop di counting of early voting.
Counting of votes don start for all regional tally centres since Monday morning.
Counting of early voting ballots no take place for Western Urban, Western Rural and Bombali districts sake of violence plus high level tension.
Records of violence dey for dis year election compared to five years ago, according to di West Africa Network for Peace-building Sierra Leone. Dem don count 109 violent incidents since April.
Di leader of di All People’s Congress, Samura Kamara, tok say dem fire live ammunition inside di party headquarters buildings.
E tok dis one during one news conference.
Oga Kamara say dat na assassination attempt.
However, sojas don surround di headquarters of di main opposition.
Last week, di APC bin claim say security forces kill one of dia supporters as dem gada for one protest for dia headquarters for Freetown on Wednesday.
Di police bin allege say di shots wey dey fired bin dey come from di direction of di APC building.
Dr Kamara also tok say im convoy bin come under attack and reports dey say dem set on fire APC office for di city of Bo last weekend.
Di SLPP bin tok say dem too face attacks for di opposition strongholds.
No be only political parties dey hear am for dis election, di electoral officers also dey chop beatings.
Di electoral commission tok say some of dia staff dem deploy for di election chop beatings and some of dia property dey damaged.
For inside statement, di commission say dem beat one presiding omcer for RC Primary School, dem beat two Election Coordinators, N’fah As. Bangura and Alex Sorie plus destroy di motor dem rent for di voting exercise.
Again for Port Loko, dem beat one female Election Coordinator, Mashiatu Conteh and she sustain injuries, for Tonkolili district, for Bendugu, for Sambuia Bendugu chiefdom, youths bin pour petrol for di body of one Election Coordinator, Ibrahim Conteh and wan set am on fire, na some community elders rescue am and among odas.
Supporters of both main parties don chop accuse say na dem dey attack opponents.
President Bio bin don call for “peaceful elections” and “no violence”.
Di African Union don also express concerns over reported incidents of violence and intimidation for parts of di kontri.
Irregularities for di election
WIA DIS FOTO COME FROM,AFP
Accusations of irregularities don follow di Saturday election, dis na afta oga Kamara allege ballot stuffing and voter suppression for some parts of di kontri.
However, di electoral body bin insist for one press conference earlier dis week, say dem get mechanisms in place to ensure fair vote.
Local media bin report say dem arrest some pipo.
Di election dey take place against di background of a troubled economy, di rising cost of living, and concerns about national unity.
Di voters dey choose a president, MPs and councillors for di West African kontri fifth election since di civil war end for 2002.
Credit: bbcpigin
North Region Tally Centre in Makeni Election result tallying kickoff 8:00am
Regional Tallying Centres in the presence of accredited Party Agents, National and International #Elections Observers and the Media. #SierraLoneDecides2023
North Region Tally Centre in Makeni
Sierra Leoneans await results as vote counting begins
Counting of votes is ongoing across polling stations in Sierra Leone where elections were held Saturday across the different districts in the West African country.
The election is considered a straight contest between the president and candidate of the Sierra Leone Peopleโs Party (SLPP), Julius Bio, and Samura Kamara, the flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress (APC).
Other presidential candidates in the elections are Bah Mohamed Chernoh of the National Democratic Alliance; Coker Prince, Peopleโs Democratic Party; Jonjo Mohamed, Citizens Democratic Party; Kabuta Henry, United National Peoples Party; and Kakay Iye, Alliance Democratic Party.
Also on the ballot are Kamara Musa, Peace and Liberation Party; Margai Francis, Peopleโs Movement For Democratic Change; Saccoh Dougakoro, Revolutionary United Front Party; Sandy Patrick, National Unity and Reconciliation Party; Sowa-Turay Mohamed, United Democratic Movement; and Williams Victor, Republic National Independent Party.
In addition to the presidential ballot, Sierra Leonean voters will also elect members of parliament and local councillors in what will be the fifth election since the end of the countryโs civil war, 21 years ago.
Peaceful Conduct
Despite the pre-election tension and violent rhetoric, the election has largely been peaceful across different parts of the country.
In Freetown, the nationโs capital city, PREMIUM TIMES observed that voters trooped out peacefully to cast their votes for their favourite candidates. In few places where voting was delayed such as the SOS Children Village in Lumley, electoral officials eventually arrived to salvage the situation before noon.
In many parts of the Western District of Sierra Leone, voting has ended as of press time Saturday night while counting of votes was ongoing. At Salam Secondary School, Kossoh Town Western Rural, polling center 15124, three people were disenfranchised.
According to ECSL workers at the center, the Identity cards (ID) presented by the voters were not valid as the information on their voterโs register didnโt match the ID Cards of the three voters.
At Constituency 105, Polling Center 15003, Ward 372, three people were caught trying to engage in double voting. The ECSL voterโs register at the center showed that the three men had voted, or other people might have voted on their behalf earlier, and they were handed over to the security forces for further investigation.
At Waterloo, Western Rural District, polling center 15005, Ward 373, Constituency 105, there were reported cases of suspected ballot stuffing, which resulted in violence. But PREMIUM TIMES understands that the security forces promptly contained the situation. Voting was also delayed at Constituency 127, New England Ville, due to the late arrival of polling materials.
Although the election has been relatively peaceful, with high voter turnout, late arrival of voting materials remains a concern, says John Kamara, a resident of Waterloo.
Announcement of Results
Results of the election are expected to trickle in at the end of the manual counting of votes, says Jalloh Mohamed, an election observer in Freetown.
If no presidential candidate secures 55 per cent of valid votes cast in the first ballot, the top two candidates will slug it out in a run-off two weeks after the announcement of the first-round result, according to theย Electoral Commission of Sierra Leoneย (ECSL).
Ahead of the polls, security agencies had advised radio stations to desist from announcing the results of the elections until the electoral umpire makes official announcement.
While voting in the elections is scheduled to end by 5:00pm, the ECSL on Saturday said that voters in queues must be allowed to vote. The electoral umpire, in a press statement posted on its Twitter handle, alsoย acknowledgedย the late arrival of polling materials in some parts of the Western District due to โlogisticโ reasons.
It called on Sierra Leoneans to eschew violence and allow the process to run peacefully.
Manual counting of votes was ongoing in many of the polling stations across the country as of press time Saturday night.
Credit to: premiumtimeng.com
ECsalone counting of votes have commenced in stations across the country
country in the presence of accredited party agents & observers after all those in the queues at 5pm where allowed to vote in stations that experienced delay in opening
FalabaKambiaKenemaCredit to
Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone
Preliminary Statement on the Conduct of Presidential
@ECsalone Preliminary Statement on the Conduct of Presidential, Parliamentary, Mayor/Chairperson and Councilors Elections Held on Saturday 24th June 2023
ECSL Press Release
ECSL Press Release on Attack on Polling Staff by Some Members of the Public in Certain Areas
#SIERRALEONEDECIDE2023 ELECTION UPDATE
#SIERRALEONEDECIDE2023 ELECTION UPDATE
Voters in Kono districtSIERRA LEONE ELECTION UPDATE 2023
4 DAYS NON=VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN ACROSS NIMIYAMA
4 DAYS NON VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN ACROSS NIMIYAMA
BY MENTORS OF NIMIYAMA
DAY 3
#@ FACE-TO-FACE SENSITIZATION IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES IN THE FIVE SECTIONS WITHIN NIMIYAMA ON THE NEED FOR PEACE, BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE ELECTION
Nimiyama Chiefdom has a history of political violence during past elections, particularly in towns like Sewafeh, Massabendu, Kangama, and Condoma. In 2018, a clash between the two major political parties erupted in Massabendu town, leading to a loss of population in and around the area. These towns are home to approximately half of the Chiefdom’s population, emphasizing the urgent need to address this issue. For far too long, these communities have been associated with political violence and other related problems. However, the mentors of Nimiyama, along with their esteemed peace ambassador, Sahr Nyande, have emerged as beacons of hope.
Sahr Nyande, a young leader known for his grace and elegance, has brought honor to his Chiefdom. Unlike wealthy individuals who fail to contribute to community development, Sahr Nyande embodies the true essence of a game changer. He is committed to adding value to society and transforming the situation in the Chiefdom peacefully. He often emphasizes that the blueprints for peace are within us and that we are united in a way that cannot be broken. In this journey of life, we need to cultivate our mindset in a way that allows society to strive and prosper. With our collective contributions, we can make Nimiyama great and peaceful. Elections come and go, but we will remain as one family. Nimiyama is all we have, and there is no need to sow division or breathe violence among us. We have a responsibility to protect and guide each other against harm.
Recognizing the need to extend their efforts beyond Massabendu, Kangama, and Condoma, the mentors of Nimiyama undertook an extensive outreach and sensitization campaign for peace. They reached far communities right across the chiefdom. They visited all the five sections within the chiefdom which have also been deeply affected by political infighting and mixed feelings among residents. The campaign’s messages instilled hope and fostered a strong sense of confidence, emphasizing that seeking asylum elsewhere is unnecessary. Peace has been reborn, urging everyone to refrain from violence and victimization.
In the speech by the president of the organization, he highlighted that in the following communities, every individual has the right to vote for their party of choice and pursue development. Voting is an integral part of our civic duty, ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections. Engaging in destructive acts, such as arson or violence, solely due to political differences, is futile. Elections come and go, but our identity as a unified nation remains constant. We firmly believe in inclusivity and the strength of unity.
He further emphasized the need for peace, he asserted “Elections, a cornerstone of democratic societies, provide citizens with the power to shape their collective destiny. However, the fervor and intensity that accompany these events often create divisions and tensions within communities. To ensure the well-being and progress of nations, it is imperative to emphasize the need for peace during and after elections. As the great Mahatma Gandhi once said, “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” Let us espouse the just cause of peace in our communities, this will help us to see the supreme importance of peace in our society in this critical juncture, and how it can pave the way for a harmonious future.
The right to express one’s opinions and participate in the electoral process is fundamental to any functioning democracy. However, when conflicts arise, whether verbal or physical, they hinder the fair representation of diverse voices. As Nelson Mandela wisely proclaimed, “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” By fostering an environment of peace, citizens can engage in constructive dialogue, promoting understanding and cooperation rather than animosity and discord.โ
This statement gives hope to the communities, the campaign was needed in all the different communities visited. It was a face-to-face dialogue with the people. It was a fruitful campaign and the response of the community people was encouraging. Emphasis was laid on the need for peace before, during, and after the election. Post-election conflicts between political parties should end.
Furthermore in his address, the peace ambassador asserted that “peace after elections is significant for the consolidation of democratic transitions. Elections often result in winners and losers, but the aftermath should not be a battleground of resentment and bitterness. In the words of Desmond Tutu, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” It is essential to remember that democracy thrives when all stakeholders respect the results and work collectively to uphold the principles of good governance. A peaceful transition of power strengthens the institutions and allows for the continuity of progress, irrespective of political affiliations.
In addition to political stability, peace during and after elections contributes to socioeconomic development. When tensions escalate and violence erupts, the focus shifts from national growth to conflict resolution. Valdis Birkavs once stated, “Peace is a prerequisite for economic development, and economic development is a prerequisite for peace.” In a peaceful environment, resources can be efficiently allocated toward infrastructure, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. This fosters an atmosphere of hope, providing citizens with opportunities for growth, entrepreneurship, and prosperity.
peace during elections enhances international reputation and cooperation. In an interconnected world, nations are constantly observed and evaluated by the global community. A peaceful electoral process signifies a commitment to democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law. As Kofi Annan eloquently noted, “We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.” By prioritizing peace, countries become attractive partners for trade, investment, and collaboration, leading to mutual benefits and collective progress.”
Conclusively, promoting peaceful elections in Nimiyama is important for the Chiefdom’s development. The efforts of Sahr Nyande and the mentors of Nimiyama have brought a renewed sense of hope to the affected towns. By spreading the message of peace and emphasizing the importance of civic responsibility, they aim to transform the Chiefdom’s situation for the better. With their dedication and commitment to inclusivity and unity, Nimiyama is poised to overcome its turbulent past and embrace a future characterized by progress and harmony.
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