Surrogates of Sierra Leone’s governing party Monday gathered here in the northern town of Magburaka, to elect the party’s Tonkolili district chairperson.

Other executive positions will also be elected during this election process.

The district chairmanship election, whose delegates are drawn from the district’s 10 constituencies, is being contested by Abu Mohamed Koroma and Ahmed Saybom Kanu.

Koroma is the incumbent, and Kanu the challenger.

Northeast region Resident Minister Hon. Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma, Sierra Leone People’s Party regional chairman, is the returning officer by virtue of his chairmanship status.

On many occasions, and on several dates slated to conduct this election, they had to be cancelled due to the eruption of violence between factions of the two candidates.

But a press release from SLPP recently said Monday, Nov. 15, was being set aside as election day.

However, TV-News24 only saw Kanu and his supporters.

Kargbo, the incumbent, wasn’t seen, and it’s unclear why Koroma’s side isn’t here.

Neither Koroma nor any of the party’s hierarchy were available for comment.

In fact, election didn’t start until around 2 p.m. local time.

Election is underway now with police presence seen at the Magburaka Resource Center, the election area.

The winner between the two contestants will be at the helm of affairs for SLPP in Tonkolili district.

There’s even a bigger SLPP chairmanship election position on the way – and that’s the national chairmanship.

Dr. Prince Harding and Jimmy Batilo Songa are the expected contenders for that one.

Kanu is a supporter of Songa, while Koroma supports Harding.

The atmosphere here is peaceful, and delegates from the 10 constituencies have already queued.