Since the voting process began at 7 am on June 24, 2023, the Polling Centre Manager (PCM) for SDA Primary School in Kenema has addressed concerns and issues that initially arose at his center.

The center, which consists of 5 stations, experienced heavy queues as voters peacefully waited to cast their votes.

Sierraloaded Observer present at the scene noted and documented complaints from voters who claimed that their names had been incorrectly marked in the register or that they had misplaced their ID cards, among other issues.

In response, Umaru Koroma, the PCM, assured that they would investigate the matter. He stated that they had not received any significant complaints regarding incorrect signatures next to names and suggested that it could be due to name similarities or other factors. However, measures had been put in place to address and resolve such issues. He reassured that the situation was not cause for alarm, and all party agents and observers expressed satisfaction with the overall election process at the center.

Regarding voters who arrived with their ID cards but could not find their names on the voter register, they were not permitted to vote. However, those who were registered at the center but had misplaced their ID cards were encouraged to remain present.

“As part of our strategy to ensure a peaceful and efficient election, we have organized our center to provide easy accessibility for every voter. This has contributed to a smoother process,” Koroma explained.

He further confirmed that the party agents were adhering to the rules of the process and expressed contentment with their cooperation at the moment.