By Ragan M. Conteh
The Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) in Parliament, Hon Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, has proposed what he described as “Inclusive and Equitable Governance Bill” as well as the concept note on Diaspora voting.
The estimated cost for setting about up about 30 centers in the country’s Embassies and Consulates is between USD80,000 and USD100,000. According to Dr Yumkella, the proposal will cost less than the equivalent of the annual cost of sending a delegation to attend the Annual UN General Assembly.
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella said, for three years now, he has worked diligently to open up the political space for women, young professionals and those who live in the Diaspora, adding that he has even engaged several colleague MPs, women leaders, and youth in conversations about the policy, their interest in politics (or lack thereof), and the barriers to their participation.
He said it became clear that the country needed bipartisan efforts to pass laws that would open the political space.
Of the many options available, he said, they chose to work on a few low-hanging fruits, fully recognizing that other issues will be covered by the comprehensive and elaborate Constitutional Review process.
He revealed that the issues they chose do not need to wait for a referendum on a new constitution, nor do they fall under entrenched clauses of the 1991 Constitution.
Hon. KKY continued that they were also strategic in choosing those issues that major political parties had promised in their election manifesto or public pronouncements when they were canvassing for votes.
“I am convinced that we can set up the mechanism for Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora to register and vote in their countries of residence within the shortest possible time,” Hon KKY said.
In addition, he stated that they can pass legislation to grant women and young professionals greater political participation, because the relevant sections are not entrenched clauses in the 1991 Constitution.
“I am convinced that a public debate of the proposed bill will set the stage for the Government’s “White Paper” on the CRC report. Both efforts can converge to yield a more inclusive policy,” he continued.
Hon Dr. Kandeh Yumkella pointed out that, within three months of arriving in Parliament in 2018, a first bill was available.
He stated that the Leader of the Opposition All People’s Congress, Hon. Chernor Maju Bah, reviewed and edited it with the four party leaders then listed as sponsors, including Hon. Sidi Tunis, Hon. Chernor Bah, Hon. Emerson Lamina and him.
He said both Hon. Bah and him (KKY) signed it, while Hon. Tunis and Hon. Lamina declined to sign at the eleventh hour.
According to Hon KKY, the first bill was submitted to the printers for publication in the Gazette. However, he said when he went to collect the printed copies, the manager informed him that the Office of the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Priscilla Schwartz, had given instructions that the document should not be printed even after he provided a letter sent to Dr. Schwarz dated July 18th, 2018.
Dr. Yumkella said, in February 2019, he had the opportunity to accompany President Julius Maada Bio to Dakar for the inauguration of President Macky Sall, informing that President Bio, Ali Kabba including him discussed the bill and the political process required to pass it. Hon KKY revealed that they agreed on some modalities.
“My letter of February 25th, 2020 to the then Chief Minister, David Francis, summarizes the discussions with Mr. President,” he noted.
He pointed out that he has succeeded in meeting several other political actors, including the Vice President, Chief Minister, APC Secretary General and many others to discuss the bill.
Hon Kandeh urged the government to set up the mechanism for the Diasporas to register and vote in their countries of residence within the shortest possible time, and pass legislation to grant women and young professionals greater political participation.
“I am convinced that a public debate of my proposed bill will set the stage for the Government’s White Paper on the CRC report. Both efforts can converge to yield a more inclusive policy,” he concluded.