Former presidential candidate Samura Kamara has urged for a comprehensive review of the June 2023 electoral process.

Kamara, the Leader of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, made this request during the Launch of the Electoral System Review, a gathering of government representatives, APC members, and development partners.

In his address, Kamara emphasized the need to scrutinize the entire electoral process, encompassing pre-election procedures, voter registration, pooling procedures, vote counting, and result announcement. He stressed the importance of identifying any systemic flaws or vulnerabilities that may have contributed to alleged or actual electoral irregularities.

Kamara expressed his conviction that a thorough review would allow for the resolution of contentious issues and enhance the credibility of future elections, ensuring that they are free, fair, credible, and transparent.

Addressing the composition of the review committee, Kamara highlighted the APC’s careful selection of members possessing proven integrity, experience, and expertise in election processes, upholding strong patriotic values.

He underscored the need for the committee to operate free from external interference or undue influence, emphasizing that it should be granted the necessary authority and power to conduct its investigations effectively. Additionally, the committee should have unrestricted access to all relevant documents, records, and information, including election results, voter data, and agreements between the electoral commission and any third parties.

Kamara also advocated for the committee’s power to summon witnesses, experts, government officials, electoral authorities, political party representatives, and any other individuals deemed necessary for the investigations. He further proposed that the committee should have the ability to request additional resources, technical expertise, or assistance from national and international organizations.

To ensure a comprehensive review, Kamara emphasized the need to collect and analyze all evidence pertaining to the electoral process. He suggested that interviews and consultations be conducted with various stakeholders involved in the electoral process to verify the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of the entire election process.

Kamara also called for an examination of the conduct of electoral officers’ training process, their impartiality, and their compliance with electoral rules and regulations. He urged that any financial and electoral materials that may have been misused or inappropriately allocated during the electoral process should be analyzed and accounted for.

In conclusion, Kamara asserted that the review committee should produce a comprehensive report outlining its findings, conclusions, and recommendations. He emphasized that if any evidence of election malpractice is uncovered, the methods used, the individuals involved, and the impact on the fairness of the election outcome should be clearly documented.

Kamara’s call for a thorough review of the June 2023 elections reflects the APC’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. A comprehensive review would address concerns raised by various stakeholders and foster trust in Sierra Leone’s electoral system, contributing to a more stable and democratic society.