"If You Have Electoral Concerns, Go to Court"

“If You Have Electoral Concerns, Go to Court” – President Bio Tells APC

In an exclusive interview with VOA, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has made significant statements regarding the country’s recent elections and past electoral events.

During the interview, President Bio mentioned that when the All People’s Congress (APC) rigged the 2012 elections, they asked anyone with an issue to go to the police. He maintained that if anyone had concerns or allegations of electoral irregularities in the June 2023 Elections, they should resort to legal channels and present their case in court.

The President highlighted the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) as the legitimate authority responsible for announcing election results and declaring a winner, a tradition consistently followed. However, he noted that the opposition APC was requesting a departure from this norm by seeking international involvement in determining the election’s outcome.

President Bio defended the integrity of the recent elections, describing them as conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. He pointed out that election disputes are not unique to Sierra Leone, citing the United States as an example where such disputes have arisen. In his view, the appropriate recourse for addressing these concerns is through the judicial system.

“If you have any problems with the Election, please go to court” he emphasized

President Bio suggested that the APC’s reluctance to take their grievances to court might be due to a lack of substantial evidence to support their claims of election rigging. Drawing a parallel to the 2012 elections, he mentioned that the APC had similarly been accused of rigging, and he had advised at the time that disputes should be resolved through the police or the courts.

“The APC is refusing to go to court because they have no Locus (legal standing) and nothing to present to the court.”

In conclusion, President Bio urged the APC to follow due process and take their concerns to court if they had issues with the results of the recently concluded June 24th Multi-Tier Elections. His statements underline the importance of upholding the rule of law and using legal channels to address electoral disputes in Sierra Leone.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

A Sanusie | 2023-09-21 15:12:31

E stupid. Wae e dae tok, e dae tell APCsay e nor serious en make APC know say e noe serious. He knows very well how the court system works, didn't he go to court when APC was on power and got played wayo. How about he just releases the polling data? The nonsense den wae e kin tok na im kin mek en lios den fiba backsi wae e dae tok. And he has to win according to the law to be president. He is not the president.
| 2023-09-20 20:06:19

The president , our president have said the fact
Alpha Kharmoh | 2023-09-20 14:26:58

Sierra Leoneans want to hear new thing that would take the country to success. Reason with someone who's reasonable, continue to engage APC on all of these issues are not new any longer. We should now look for solutions not accusations and counter-response that will take us nowhere, my take.
Conteh Mohammed | 2023-09-20 12:56:26

When a thief encourages you to take him to court just know that his brother is the judge. Bio is a complete mess!!!
Umaru Conteh | 2023-09-20 11:48:24

We are tired of saying one thing over and over again for those who are loving Sierra Leoneans,we are very wicked, selfish, greedy and lawless to Mama,Salone.We were looking for the right person, but maada doesn't show up himself as the right Man,we are looking for, both APC,SLPP parties are selfish, betrayal and full of vengeance (that's why they can't accomplished their dreams)God will send us our Moses.
Barrie A.G. | 2023-09-20 11:48:03

Mr president to what end, you promised us new direction and you still reference old happenings to prove your points.
Lamin Serry | 2023-09-20 11:24:53

They were not listening to advise
Joseph Carter | 2023-09-20 11:23:07

This is the reason this president doesn't love to in an unnecessary things because when He talk it makes world news those in the APC are very shameless and idle they are power greedy, power desperate but really they will spend more than 35yrs in opposition.
Henry Sheku momoh | 2023-09-20 11:15:03

E nor easy oo for My people.
| 2023-09-20 11:03:35

We tired we Salone problem bo
| 2023-09-20 10:54:42

Mr president thank you for telling the APC dogs the fact and what to do. They are hungry and have no food to eat and that is why they are desperate. Long live Sierra Leone and long live president Bio.
Bangs Alusine Salih | 2023-09-20 10:54:02

The game don sweet na Salone
| 2023-09-20 10:50:12

Wae sober minded people Dem bin dae talk am Dem nor yeri
| 2023-09-20 10:41:15

Like seriously.