EU Chief Election Observer, Evin Incir has accused state security forces of perpetrating violence against opposition members and supporters in several parts of the country.
She made the allegation during a press briefing at Raddison Blu in Freetown last Tuesday. The violence, she said, raised doubt on the sincerity of presidential candidates who signed a peace pledge in May last year on the election eve.
The peace pledge was initiated by the Inter-religious Council of Sierra Leone and the Peace Commission supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat and other national and international actors. The two presidential candidates signed the document simultaneously and the handshakes, hugs and smiles lent a weight to the pledge.
However, they said, the pledge’s impact on the campaign environment was limited as there is little or no awareness among party stakeholders and the wider public at the district level.
The mission pointed out that the political environment initially allowed for competitive campaigning throughout the country, in a generally peaceful atmosphere, with a focus on personalities rather than issues.
However, the EOM said in a highly polarised political situation with rising tensions in weeks ahead of the polls, the campaign space became increasingly restrictive for the APC in several southern and eastern districts owing to state-sponsored violence.
The burning of an APC office in Bo district, vandalisation of another party office in Kailahun and armed attacks on party officials and candidates in Pujehun, Kenema and Kambia considerably undermined the electoral process.
According to the Mission, most of the violent attacks were carried out in Southern and Eastern regions, strongholds of the ruling party.
The EU mission also pointed out few instances in which SLPP supporters fell victims to violence singling out the damage of an SLPP candidate’s house in Freetown as an example. An atmosphere of intimidation in at least six districts was detrimental to political participation and inclusiveness.