By Musa Paul Feika
Electoral irregularities have been order of the day in most Africa countries including Burundi, Togo, Nigeria, and very recently our neighbouring country which Sierra Leone is no exception.
Since the tendency of elections that brought multi-party democracy to Africa in the 1990s, there have been significant advances made in consolidating democracy in Africa countries. It is true that Sierra Leone as a nation, has embraced democracy as ‘the only way that mandates and legitimacy for leadership will only be given to individuals and political parties through the ballot box.
This is significant because it encourages a plural democratic society will greatly contribute to the promotion, national development and attainment of good governance.
But for decades after this renewed hope, developments from different countries on account of elections and outcomes have combined to continue to dash these hopes.
Furthermore, experiences from Somalia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, now Cote d’Ivoire and now Sierra Leone has shown that developments from electoral conducts and outcomes are posing strong and real threats to our democracy, peace and stability within the country and in the long run. This assertion and apprehension is more real and urgent in Sierra Leone when taking into account the 2018 parliamentary and generation elections.
As a nation, we should be asking ourselves some of these questions; what is and how can Sierra Leone achieve free and fair elections? How do we prevent the winner-takes-all approach of politics? How do we react to candidates who react violently to election results? How can leaders be encouraged to accept defeat? How should the international community respond to leaders who use violence to hold on to power? These questions will help us to as solve electoral disputes and irregularities when it comes to power sharing. When we critically look and analyze it, we get a deeper comprehension of electoral violence is the issue of the attitude of our politicians.
In Sierra Leone election has increasingly become a do-or-die situation with politicians using all means including unfair tactics to capture power. The electioneering languages are increasingly becoming inciting and violent with less restraints and consideration. Party that lost power like in the like APC members are treated as enemies of the ruling government by security apparatus.
There is a culture in Sierra Leone wherein and the SLPP members not accepting defeat or accept election result when they are pronounced. When the SLPP lead by President Julius Maada Bio won the 2018 parliamentary and presidential elections, some members of the oppositionparty APC in like Dr Sylvia O. Blyden took the ruling party to court challenging the elections result.
Similar, when former President Earnest Bai Koroma won 2012 election President Bio, Bio who was the SLPP presidential candidate did not accept defeat that prompted him to block the erstwhile motorcade in the eastern part of Freetown. Though president Bio contributed immensely the peace and tranquillity to our beloved Mama Salone, his action was tantamount to undermine the country’s peace. When a political party lost election, instead working together to move the country forward precious time, and resources are wasted by candidates and parties to undermine each other and this has divided Sierra Leone a nation among their the general citizenry.
Sierra Leoneans are with perception that politics, elections and leadership are seen as means to wealth within a twinkle of eye. A clear scenario is the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) aspirant for the mayoral position Mohamed Gento Kamara who has left his businesses and joined politics. It is so bad that our politicians in their quest to win elections have been using ethnicity, religion and violence as vehicles for gain supports and votes from the electorates. This was seen in 2018 general elections in Sierra Leone where we observed regional and tribal voting.
Many Sierra Leoneans do not believe our electoral institution ECSL which is charged with the role and responsibilities to conduct free, fair and transparent elections. This happened in 2012, when the then chief national returning officer, Dr Christiana Thorpe declared President Koroma as winner.
During former President Earnest Bai Koroma’s regime he intended to help Kenema city but being that Kenema is dominated by the Mendes who are loyal to the SLLP they did not accept his plan rather they wore black and drove him out with his motorcade.
That was the reason why President Koroma jumped Kenema and constructed the road leading to Kailahun, which was clear indication that the people of Kenema did not recognise the former Koroma as their President because Julius Maada Bio, who was as reported had recognised that their choice did not win the elections.
There was also a claim that Madam Christina Thorpe declared Kailahun votes null and void; as a matter of fact, the election was not free, fair and transparent. The people of Kailahun alleged that Madam Thorpe declared their votes null and void.
In addition, when President Julius Maada Bio won the 2018 parliamentary and presidential elections, the current flagbearer of the opposition party, Dr Mathew Samura Wilson failed to congratulate his comrade because he did not accept defeat. This point to lasting implications that will tear the country apart thereby encouraging tribalism and regionalism, more especially during electioneering process in the country.
Besides, the power sharing arrangement is seen more as issues for resolution between and sometimes among the contending candidates and their parties. What one sees is that rather than settle down to governance in the interest of citizens, beneficiaries of the power our politicians are busy engaging in schemes to undo and undermine the other party.
Political and geographic divisions make it difficult for a society to act as a joint force for peace and we pray that June 24, 2023 election will serve mainly to repair the divisions between the north and the south easterners a key ingredient that brings and assures us of peace and tranquillity in Sierra Leone.
Sadly and troubling, the current political, social and economic situations in the country continues to deteriorate and it creates fears of impeding violent during this year’s election.
Urgent actions are needed and must provide the voices as it has been happening successfully in the past.