𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐏𝐂’𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝, 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝟔𝟎% 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐡, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫.
Over the last few days, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), under the leadership of Mr Mohamed Konneh has demonstrated a total lack of transparency and accountability in the critical stages of our electoral process. Of particular significance, Konneh’s handling of the tallying process flouts even the barest minimum of international best practice, dangerously undermining the peace and stability of our beloved nation.
As we noted in our press releases of 26th June 2023, condemning the skewed manner Mr Konneh presented the results of the so-called 60% polling stations tallied, the APC continues to reject Mr. Konneh’s lack of inclusivity, transparency and accountability.
We note the brave press statement by the National Elections Watch (NEW) and we commend them for putting nation first and for the outstanding work they have done, especially in these highly combustive elections. If anyone had any doubt about the many concerns we have been raising relating to the outcome of these elections, NEW’s statement should serve as an alternative independent perspective on the veracity of the elections outcome, which we believe strongly favors the APC.
Sierra Leoneans have endured untold suffering and injustice under this uncaring government. At the ballot box on June 24, majority of Sierra Leoneans have clearly demonstrated that they cannot endure five more years of intimidation, oppression, violence and economic hardship. The APC stands solidly behind your vote for better lives, peace and a united Sierra Leone. The APC leadership will stand by your strengths as you pressure for your voice to be heard and your votes to be counted in a transparent manner.
In this regard, the APC counts on both local and international observers and the diplomatic missions to also stand by the majority voice. The current situation we are faced with in Sierra Leone is not just about the All People’s Congress, it is not even about Sierra Leone per se; it is about democracy. Threats to democracy anywhere constitutes a threat to democracy everywhere.
We thank you our local and international partners for the hard work you have put into this, but as you have witnessed, the core principles of civil and political liberties, particularly the right to choose political leaders, is being scuttled in Sierra Leone. This should not happen under your watch. The defence of democracy should go beyond the current endeavours in order to salvage this brazen attempt to topple democracy.
I express my profound condolences to the families of all our compatriots whose lives have been taken and those who have been maimed in standing up in defence of democracy. You did not deserve this.
