The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has announced a temporary suspension of the bye-election for the Chairman of the District Council in Kenema District.

This decision, outlined in a press release on September 30, 2024, comes as the commission awaits the hearing and determination of a related matter currently before the High Court of Sierra Leone.

The bye-election, initially scheduled for November 16, 2024, was intended to fill the vacancy left by the late Chairman of the Kenema District Council.

However, the process has faced significant delays due to an unexpected court injunction that has disrupted the electoral proceedings.

Prior to the suspension, the Screening, Consensus Building & Elections Committee 2 (SCBEC) had completed its initial screening phase. On September 26, 2024, the committee convened in Kenema, where they received four applications from potential candidates. The candidates who met the submission deadline were:

John Steven Goba

Anthony Fonnie

Ibrahim Wurie

Amie Zombo

Unfortunately, only three candidates attended the screening session, as Ms. Zombo did not communicate her absence and failed to respond to calls or messages from the committee.

After addressing objections and preparing the necessary ballot papers, the committee was poised to move forward with the election. However, a last-minute communication from the National Secretary General revealed that the Attorney General had issued a court injunction halting all electoral proceedings until the matter could be heard in court. The committee promptly informed the candidates and their delegates about this legal development.

While two candidates accepted the court’s decision without issue, the third candidate and nearly all delegates—98% of them—expressed frustration and anger over the abrupt halt in the electoral process. Despite attempts by the Committee Chairman, District Chairman, and Deputy National Chairman to de-escalate tensions, emotions ran high among the delegates.