The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has broadcasted a message of peace to all citizens as the country edge toward its multitier elections in June this year.

The Commission urged incidents like the August 10 protest last year in Freetown and the 17-18 July 2020 in Makeni not to recur during and after this year’s elections.

The HRCSL further urged the Government to exercise restraint and avoid incidents like that of the Pademba Road attempted jailbreak in April 2020 and the Lunsar and Tombo riots of the same year.

They said that the Government is mandated by the country’s Constitution for the security, peace, and welfare of its citizens.

The Commission further prodded citizens to be patriotic by respecting the country’s National Flag, National Anthem, and lawful authorities and institutions.

The HRCSL called on citizens to rally together and protect State properties and refuse to give in to the destruction of public property and the squandering of public funds.

Sierra Leone will go to the polls on 24 June this year with political analysts predicting that the election will be dominated by the incumbent Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC).

The West African nation has already seen precursors of violence ahead of its June polls with destruction campaign banners being the recent one.