2022 and 2023 have been set as deadlines for the multi-tier elections, the local council and presidential and parliamentary elections respectively.
By the set deadline, the country has merely two years seven months to go to the polls.
The deadline, no doubt, is a red line for political parties, especially the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the main opposition, All People’s Congress.
The damaging impact of Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) on the country’s socio-politico status was compelling government to postpone the dates for the multi-tier elections to 2024.
But the opposition parties were never in agreement with government’s move, and present strong case to the international community about their stance towards the dates.
The international community nodded in agreement with the opposition parties especially the All People’s Congress to hold the elections according to the deadlines.
Granted the deadlines have been unanimously accepted by all political parties preparing for the elections, the Sierra Leonean public still remains in doubt as to the level of preparedness of political parties to go to the elections.
The public doubt has been generated around a deadline in the face of a spiralling Covid-19 as the country still continues to register cases.
The greatest number of questions about the readiness seems to have revolved around plans and strategies of APC, a party seen as the main alternative in the forthcoming elections.
But, the APC, over the years, is seemingly quiet and docile as their degree of public communication is falling considerably.
Some stalwarts, however, say quietness and docility does not mean the APC is not planning or is losing touch with the political realities.
Conversely, others say planning is a lip service considering its legal battles with a potent splinter group, the National Reformation Movement (NRM).
The lawsuit has come to be an albatross around the neck of the APC as it has the potential of derailing the party’s chances in the polls to be held not-too-distant future.
The lawsuit Sierra Leoneans say is a potential threat to the existence of a party seen as a good choice in the elections.
The trouble the main opposition faces today started sometime last year when the APC attempted to adopt a renewed constitution, a move the NRM kicked against.
The NRM was quite critical of the new APC constitution as it contains provisions they view inimical to the progress of the party especially the number of years someone must spend to become a flag-bearer.
Despite its critical stance, the NRM was treated with contempt by the party executive. The contempt landed the APC in the court through the handwork of a lawyer perceived to have close ties with the ruling SLPP.
The lawsuit was to stop the APC from holding a convention where the constitution would have been adopted.
After arguments and counter arguments, submissions and counter-submissions, the rulings have always been favouring the NRM.
To date, the case is still pending in court and it goes a snail-pace in the face of a tight deadline.
A great many supporters and sympathisers have become worried and jittery in respect of the date the NRM Case would come to an end.
However, some party stalwarts are quite hopeful of an end to the NRM lawsuit before the elections commence.
A compromise plan in the form an out-of-court settlement between the two entities cannot be entirely ruled out.
Insider sources have explained that NRM has started coming closer again to the APC to renew their ties.
Some APC officials say facilities have been offered to the NRM members to party headquarters in a spirit of brotherhood and reconciliation.
The public have frequently questioned the impact the reconciliatory moves would have on the lawsuit when the case still lingers in court.
Again, what has been of great concern to the APC sympathisers is the pending ‘White Paper’ which government says will come out soon.
The much-talked document is a pending government response to the findings of a commission of Inquiry (COI) set up to investigate the activities of the past government especially use of money by the purse holders.
The COI was set up following a government transition report by the Chief Minister, Professor David Francis and team.
The report accused the past government of embarking on a “criminal racketeering enterprise.”
The COI report also captured reckless spending of the highest degree which landed the country in the highest debt burden since independence.
The report indicates that the Ernest Koroma administration incurred a domestic debt of four Trillion Leones and 2 Billion US Dollars as foreign debt.
These horrific figures informed the setting up of the COI which the report says is in the public interest.
As the ‘White Paper’ remains pending, a recommendation that is most feared is that of banning all those named in the report from taking part in the country’s politics.
If the recommendation holds, top APC officials would not participate in the coming elections.
Non-participation by APC members who are potential flag-bearers would surely weaken the pillars of democracy in a volatile political order.
The aforementioned instances indicate that APC has to confront two devastating factors-the NRM lawsuit and the government ‘White Paper.’
The main opposition has to navigate between these two polar extremes. The two factors constitute ostensible threats which can be transformed into opportunities for the APC.
However, if situation remains as it is and the factors boomerang beyond the control APC’s control, the chances of bouncing back to power would be immeasurably whittled down.
2022 and 2023 dates are fastly approaching and every passing day sounds the APC’s deathnell as long as the status quo prevails.
The dates are deadlines and are surely redlines for the elections.
Time and tide wait for no man.