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The Pujehun District Students Association (PuDSA) Presidential Election, an annual event drawing indigenes from various tertiary institutions, recently encountered a tumultuous turn marked by violence and bitter disagreements in Pujehun Town.
The week-long activities, typically culminating in a change of leadership and celebratory dinner, were marred by disruptions in the election process, triggering discontent among students. The Independent Electoral Commission tasked with overseeing the election faced heavy criticism for allegedly failing to meet the expectations of the aggrieved students.
The election, contested by three presidential candidates, Denis Beveh Massaquoi, Sombo Fortune, and Jeneba Massaquoi was clouded by controversies. Denis Beveh Massaquoi found himself excluded from the delegate list, with authorities citing constitutional disqualification as the reason behind his omission.
In a twist, Denis lodged a petition against his opponent, Sombo Fortune, challenging her eligibility to vie for the presidency.
With the election process halted, discussions loom about potentially establishing an interim executive if the impasse persists. Interventions from key figures, notably Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh, who hails from the district, and other stakeholders, aimed to defuse tensions.
The Chief Minister has urged the Independent Electoral Commission to schedule a new date for the election, striving to restore order amid the upheaval.
However, as of now, no confirmed date for the resumption of the election has been released.
Notably, this election cycle saw a historic shift with women dominating the candidature for the presidential position, marking a milestone in the association’s history.
