All eyes on Christiana Thorpe … what are the concerns?
The elections have come and the people of this country came out in their numbers to exercise their rights to vote in the November 17th polls, but anxiously and patiently wait for Christiana Thorpe (in photo) for the final result announcement. This was a statement made by a concerned citizen just two days after the polling day. This, I believe is the concern shared by most loving Sierra Leoneans that want to see the consolidation of peace and allow the rule of law to take its effect in the post electoral process.
As the provisional results keep filtering into the airwaves, citizens across the country are with expectant minds to hear from the sharp voice of the all mighty Christiana Thorpe. As we prepare to move from this hopeful suspension, there are several mixed feelings with regard to the allegations and counter allegations made by the two main political parties, the All People’s Congress Party (APC) and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
A political party at this crucial time must restrain itself from making any inciting statement that will be used by their supporters to be part of any form of violence.
During the pre election period, presidential candidates made a commitment to accept the outcome of the results and endeavoured to conform to the modus operandi of the electoral process. I am bringing all of these issues as a reminder to the aforementioned and let them give time to Christiana Thorpe and NEC officials to do their work with no distraction.
Even though the aim of political parties is to win power, they must also ensure that ambition does not override the peace and stability of the country.
The returning officer has made it very clear that any political party that has any concern of elections irregularities must tender them to the police for further investigation. Well to some extent, readers will say she is trying to ignore the claims or concerns made by the political parties but, however, she is making salient points to these aggrieved parties that no announcement has been made for a particular constituency and all concerns must be made available to the police.
On the other hand Madam Thorpe must endeavour to uphold the credibility of NEC and ensure that we have a credible outcome of the entire process.
I am sure the results will be out shortly and we must be ready to accept them and move forward with our daily activities.
However, writing this piece one may be wondering the reasons behind the enthusiasm to hearing the almighty voice and how that is being connected with the peace and stability of mama Salone. Of course we have conducted ourselves in a peaceful manner but reflection of that has to be seen after the announcement of the final results as this is critical taking into consideration political statements coming out together with what has erupted in similar times in Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire for example. It is no gain saying that the election violence of those countries are not worthy of remembrance as result of the wanton destruction of lives and property. I have said in one of my piece that in this election we want to showcase our democratic credentials to our development partners, that this is not Kenya or Ivory Coast and there is no way we can revert to those unimaginable ordeals. So far the elections have been accredited by the international organizations and civil society organizations to be peaceful and violence free.
The legal ambit of the law calls for the outcome of the results to be within 10 days. The 10 days period has been seen by many as too long for the announcement considering the spate at which panicking rumours are spreading across the country by some bad people of society that may want to create a menacing atmosphere for the peace and stability of the state.
Just for a word of caution, anybody who will want to use this period to threaten the peace and stability of the state will face the full force of the law. This climate of fear or pessimism to a larger extent is being attributed to the enthusiasm connected with the final pronouncement of the results. Over the years, Madam Thorpe has been highly esteemed by the international community, political pundits, and civil society organizations, and this sterling character of hers has to be demonstrated again at such a crucial time. The NEC as an institution must be firm in their decision making and create a platform for fair assessment.
In as much as the entire country is looking forward to the final results this tells you how much the people are concerned about the fate of the country. Both local and international observers have come out with their preliminary assessment but all has to be summed up after the final pronouncement.
Therefore, (Madam Thorpe) it is time again to add to your credentials.
By Mohamed Thullah
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