๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ค๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐ค๐๐ฐ๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐% ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐๐ก, ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ซ.
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, Konnehโs 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, NEWโs 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.
