Youth Coalition to deploy monitors on elections day
The National Youth Coalition (NYC) is a network movement of various youth organizations in the country that is working over the years to increasing youth potential, creativity and skills towards national development and also to transform the mentality and attitude of young people in Sierra Leone. (Photo: Al-Sankoh Conteh of NYC and Salieu A.B. Kargbo of SLCRC)
The NYC has received the green light from National Electoral Commission (NEC) to deploy over hundred young people to monitor the elections on Saturday 17th November 2012. It can be recalled that the Coalition has been engaged in monitoring the entire electoral process to ensure a very friendly and transparent exercise. During the voters registration exercise, the Coalition deployed young people and issue them with megaphones with the aim of conducting voter registration sensitization across the country. This led to a massive turnout of citizens, especially in remote communities during the biometric voter registration process.
Also, coalition members were seen monitoring the exhibition and presentation of voter identification cards in Bo, Pujehun, Moyamba and the Western Area.
President of National Youth Coalition, Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh informed this press that they are very grateful to the NEC for recognizing the role played by the Coalition in the electoral process. He said they are deploying the monitors with the aim of getting a firsthand knowledge on the process and also to get the full participation of young people across the country.
The NYC President commended the friendliness displayed by young people during the campaign process and political rallies. He said even though there are some isolated incidences, such as the unfortunate violence that unfolded in Kono, they are happy enough to see the Police and other authorities were on top of the situation.
Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh said young people have a greater role to play in the community to ensure a positive democracy and tolerance, which are food for development of any country. He noted that young people forms the vast majority of those that will vote in a government in Sierra Leone. The NYC President reiterated the fact that it’s time for young people to prepare for a brighter future. “Let us don’t allow politicians to contaminate our focused minds with their negative ideologies of perpetrating violence or use their so-called stronghold syndrome to destroy the country. We don’t want the youths of today to be used as a tool to destroy their own communities for politicians’ selfish desire,” he said, and added that it’s time to say no to violence and embrace peace.
He said Sierra Leoneans should see each other as brothers and sisters and vote peacefully during the elections. He encouraged all political parties in the country to unite so that the entire country will have a brighter future.
The National Youth Coalition have been on the forefront to kick hell against violence and the so-called political stronghold syndrome, which are identified as the main causes bringing young people to involve in immoral activities. The NYC has been a proud supporter for the White Flag Movement, which to undertake a peace and non-violence campaign across the country for the coming elections.
The Executive Secretary of the Sierra Leone Civil Rights Coalition, Saliue AB Kargbo strongly condemns all political parties or individuals who are involved in political and social violence in the country, adding that, “We totally and absolutely condemn those political parties or individuals whose main aim is to frighten investors and attempt to create unrest.” He went on to note that they have identified one of the main factors responsible for political and social intolerance which most times lead to political violence. He added that deploying young people as election monitors will instill a sense of unity and ones amongst Sierra Leones on elections day.
Sierra Leone, he said is a united and peaceful country where elections must be held in a friendly atmosphere, and added that young people must respect the electoral laws of the country.
Ortorkor Janaba
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