Over Constitutional Atrocities CSOs slam SLPP government
Some of the country’s highly credible civil society organizations including the Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN), Forum of Sierra Leonean Youth Network (FoSLYN) among others have yet again slammed the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) government over its continuous blatant violations of the Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution.
Their latest condemnation of the SLPP government came as a result of the President’s decision to blatantly appoint a commissioner for south at the National Electoral Commission (NEC) without consulting any of the registered political parties in the country as clearly prescribed in the 1991 constitution and the SLPP’s deliberate contravention of the constitution in the three Constitutional Instruments that set up the Commissions of Inquiry among other violations.
According the Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) in a letter addressed to the President, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) is a crucial umpire in the democratic framework of Sierra Leone and therefore demands strict adherence to every constitutional provision set out in running its affairs in order to cure the wanton chaos and cries of a rogue election that arise in the aftermath of elections which have the tendency to torpedo our hard earned peace and stability ; a mischief the crafters of the constitution were trying to avoid.
CAN further notes that such action by the President may create room for potential violent outbursts which is inimical to our development as a result of the apparent fear gripping the citizens, international partners and even investors over the political climate in the country.
Another condemnation of the SLPP’s constitutional bastardization is seen in the press release of another credible civil society organization, Forum of Sierra Leonean Youth Network (FoSLYN), which also condemn in no uncertain terms the deliberate violation of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone in the three instruments that set up the Commissions of Inquiry schedule to take place later this month.
According to FoSLYN, they have concerns over the proposed foreign Judges who have been appointed as ‘Sole Commissioners’ and have not yet been approved as qualified to be appointed Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature required by section 147(3) of the Sierra Leone Constitution, section 6(1) of the instrument setting up the proposed Commissions of Inquiry which says the Sole Commissioner can modify, adapt and except himself from abiding by the practice and procedure in force in the High Court if he feels like it which they say is against what Section 150 of the country’s says, and the further complication with Section 6(2) of the instrument saying the Sole Commissioner is not even bound to obey the recognized Rules of Evidence in the Sierra Leone which they also say is in contravention with the country’s constitution.
In view of the above, the release furthered, FoSLYN therefore urges the President to look into the issues raised and the great tension arising over the allegations of unconstitutionality and also urges the Sierra Leone Police and other security apparatus to continue to more professional in the execution of their duties whilst asking the general public to obey the rule of law. In their conclusion, the civil society entity threatens to take further legal actions against the Government of Sierra Leone should it fail to address the unconstitutional issues raised.
By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara
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