In a press release issued today, the All Peoples Congress (APC) has announced that their presidential candidate will address the nation on the 14th of June 2023.
The APC leadership expressed concerns over alleged electoral malpractices that they believe could undermine the integrity of the upcoming elections in Sierra Leone, scheduled for the 24th of June 2023.
According to the APC, they have repeatedly raised these concerns with the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), accusing the commission of violating the country’s 1991 Constitution and the provisions of the Public Elections Act (PEA) of 2022. However, the ECSL has reportedly shown no willingness to address these issues, leading to increased tensions.
The APC’s grievances include several key points.
Firstly, they highlight a problematic Voter Registration Process, which they claim has disenfranchised a significant number of eligible voters suspected of not supporting the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). They also criticize the poor quality of Voter Identification Cards, citing issues such as omissions, mismatches, missing photos, and names, which they argue render the cards unsuitable for their intended purpose.
Furthermore, the APC accuses the ECSL of releasing an incomplete Final List of Voters (FLV) or Voters Register, violating Section 13 of the Public Elections Act (PEA) of 2022 and falling short of international standards. They compare it to the FLV for the 2018 elections, highlighting the discrepancies.
The APC also claims that the ECSL has failed to complete the Voter Registration and related processes within the timeframe specified by the PEA of 2022, limiting the party’s ability to effectively plan and campaign for the June 24th, 2023 elections.
Another point of contention raised by the APC is the ECSL’s alleged intent to bypass district-level certification of election results, as mandated by Section 92(2) of the PEA of 2022. The APC emphasizes the importance of this level of certification, especially since the country is implementing the District Block System in these elections.
The APC further raises concerns about widespread attacks and brutalization of their supporters, even on scheduled campaign days. They describe these actions as threats to the peace and security of their members and the entire electoral process. Additionally, they accuse the security forces of unleashing violence against civilians, in violation of relevant laws.
Lastly, the APC criticizes the failure of the judiciary and other state authorities to ensure justice for their members across the country.
In light of these issues, the APC’s presidential candidate will address the nation on the 14th of June 2023, likely to discuss the party’s concerns and their stance regarding the upcoming elections. The address is expected to shed light on the APC’s course of action and their commitment to safeguarding the democratic process in Sierra Leone.
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