In Sierra Leone Thousands Gather in Bo District to Vote in a New Government
Bo, Sierra Leone – Ward 235, Constituency 70 – thousands of Sierra Leonean voters have gathered here to vote for candidates of their choice to govern them both at central and local governments for the next five years. So far, two main political parties, the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) headed by the current President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) are the reason why most of these voters have turned up here today. (Photo: NEC officials look on as voters case their votes in Constituency 70 in Bo)
Sierra Leoneans are faced with a task of choosing between President Koroma’s “Agenda for Prosperity” and Julius Maada Bio’s “New Direction, a task many view as easy considering the successes and achievements of the current President the last five years.
Very open and transparent voting process in Bo
Most of the voters I spoke to here after casting their votes told me that they voted for the “World Best”, referring to the President. Constituency 70 is among those in the Bo District earmarked for an APC victory in both Parliamentary and Presidential, with constituencies 68 and 69 being the others and Sorie Fofanah who just left the polling center told me that it is possible if the votes are secured by the party agents sent to represent the party.
The scene here is chaotic with the National Electoral Commission (NEC) officials not seeing to be entirely in control of the process thereby increasing tension and frustration among voters here because of the slow nature of the voting process. It took me a bit over two hours to cast my vote from the time I arrived at the polling station and this was only so because my last name fell under a category of names that did not have many voters at the polling station. Some people I spoke to from the lines told me they have been out since five in the morning to cast their votes.
Thousands gather in Bo to vote
The process has however, been very peaceful and transparent midst the chaos and security presence has been very minimal with only two unarmed police and one armed policeman. The Internal Affairs assured the people Sierra Leone of their safety and security during the electioneering process and it has been peaceful and quiet since the process started this morning.
Voting is expected to end at five in the evening and results especially for parliamentary and local council elections will start filtering in two to three hours later.
Sidie Yahya Tunis reporting from Bo
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