By Francis Kamara
The Consortium of Progressive Political Parties (COPPP), in a press conference dated 17th September 2022, has sent a strong message of dissatisfaction and discontent to the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), due to the way and manner in which the ECSL has been going about the voters registration exercise in the country.
The theme for the event “No eligible Sierra Leonean left behind” is a clear manifestation of what the Consortium of Progressive Political Parties stands for – which is to advocate for the people of Sierra Leone and protect democracy and human rights.
In attendance was the Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Akisawyer, Alhaji Ben Kamara (national secretary PDP), Bami Thomas (ADP), Hon Sahr Charles (C4C), Isata Bangura (PMDC national secretary), Richard Conteh (APC), Ayo Williams (NDP), Dr. Dennis Bright, Hon. Abdul Kargbo (National Secretary APC), and Leader of the Consortium – Femi Claudius Cole.
The leader of COPPP Femi Claudius Cole in reading the press statement acknowledged that the Consortium of Progressive Political Parties (COPPP) would like once more to engage the Government, Civil Society organizations, the general public and our development partners as we normally do whenever the Country is in danger of losing its grip on freedom and democracy leading to situations that can affect the Peace and security of Sierra Leone.
She added that members of COPPP would also like to commend the extraordinary enthusiasm demonstrated, efforts and Sacrifices made so far by citizens all over the country to register to vote in the forthcoming general elections. In addition to mobilizing our People to go out and register, our parties have also been monitoring the conduct of the registration and we have some serious concerns over some aspects of the exercise. We would like the ECSL and other related bodies to act promptly on these issues as we advance into Phase II of the process.
First-time Voters Nightmare
Section 24(1) of the 2022 Public Elections Act clearly states that: “A Registration Officer may, in satisfying himself that a person is entitled to be registered as a voter, request from the person any of the following”-
- A birth certificate or other such document issued under the authority of an enactment
- A naturalization certificate
© The testimony of a member of the Local Council in the area of his residence
- National Identification Number
€ A statutory declaration giving particulars of a person’s birth
(f) Any other satisfactory evidence of the person’s entitlement to be registered as a voter
She went on to say that in support of this law, the ECSL produced a set of guidelines named the ECSL Procedures Manual For 2022 voters Registration. Included in this manual is a sample “Witness Form” which is to be used, if a birth certificate is not available, by a Paramount Chief, Tribal Head, Town Chief, Section Chief, Village Head, Religious Leader, head of Educational Institution or Councilor to confirm that the potential registrant is: A. a Sierra Leonean; B. At least 18 years old; and C. Ordinarily resident in the area where he/she intends to register.
However, she mentioned that ECSL has now decided that only original birth certificates would now be accepted at ECSL registration centers because of some issues relating to fraudulent registrants, fake birth certificates and potentially unreliable verifications.
Whilst they recognize and acknowledge that ECSL has experienced challenges with the Witness Form verification process, it is their view that these challenges can be addressed through continued communication and public engagement of the consequences of fraudulent verification.
She affirmed that there will always be challenges with any system but the response to those challenges must not be to disenfranchise thousands of first-time voters who are not in the NCRA database and who do not have birth certificates.
She further stated that the ECSL cannot change the provisions of the 2022 Public Elections Act without going back to parliament. In the Western Area and other northern-regions hundreds of young first-time registrants or people without birth certificates are being packed in a corner and ignored, or simply ordered to go away. There are many reported cases of arrests of first-time registrants whose birth certificates were considered to be fake by the ECSL staff.
In at least two cases, the arrested youth were only released after an amount of one hundred new Leones was paid as bail or bribe. She acknowledged that these young people who are being brutalized and thrown into jail are simply trying to be citizens, trying to take part in this critical aspect of the democratic process for the very first time. Some of those who tried to enjoy their democratic right to protest and air out their grievances have fallen under a rain of bullets. Now, those who just want to vote and try to register are being harassed, thrown into jail or forced to buy their freedom. This is not right!
Madam Femi Claudius Cole underscored that the ECSL staff are finding any excuse to prolong the process and frustrate registrants in these regions where opposition parties have a firm foothold. In these regions, and particularly in urban areas, young people have proved to be strongly opposed to the current regime and there seems to be a palpable fear on the part of the ruling party of allowing them to register in their numbers. There are therefore so many issues with the conduct of the registration process that they proposed the following:
1. Parliament should invite the ECSL to discuss all the anomalies and complaints coming from a significant percentage of potential voters.
2. That Parliament investigates the issue of faulty machines to ascertain if there are any procurement lapses that should be further probed.
3. The ECSL should immediately convene a meeting of the Political Parties Liaison Committee to hear reports from political parties about the registration process and take on board their concerns and suggestions.
4. That the ECSL commits to a policy of “No eligible voter left behind” and consequently prepare for an extension of the registration process.
5. That very clear directives are given afresh to the registration officials so that their decisions are not left to discretion.
6. That the Police are warned not to interfere with the voter registration process and limit their role to maintaining decorum at the queues and in the centers
7. That the issue of first-time voters and birth certificates be the subject of a special review so that thee non possession of a birth certificate is not made a deterrent for voting.
She concluded that the political parties at COPPP once again commit themselves to work assiduously towards the success of this registration process and remain open to collaboration with all concerned to this end.
Dr. Richard Conteh of the APC is one of the founding fathers of the organization, he thanked the COPPP leadership for organizing organize such a press conference at a crucial time, as they needed to come together and speak one voice – in a time that the democracy is under threat.
He added that the theme of the press conference is an all important one, as it is the responsibility of ECSL to register all eligible Sierra Leonean to vote come 2023. He underscored that series of incidents have undermined the registration process and the law should take it’s course, as the election starts with the registration process – the software is faulty as it only makes provision for people above 18yrs.
He affirmed that as opposition party, they have a responsibility to take action and set things right, and they have a duty to nurture the young generation.
The Chairperson for NGC Dr. Dennis Bright, in his statement acknowledged that the job is not an easy one, and as members of the governance structure in Sierra Leone, they have decided to contribute to democracy by defending the truth.
He added that they realize the dangers that surround being truthful against a government that is brutal and oppressive, and some of them have been to places for the first time in their lives not because of doing illegal things, but because of their vital role to speak against corruption and bad governance.
He affirmed that as politicians, both leading and opposition party their job is to do the right thing and serve Sierra Leone. He underscored that the pivotal point in a democratic nation is the voting process – a point in time when even the ordinary Sierra Leone feels powerful and can actually speak through the ballot box.
He further stated that they should lend their focus on the first time voters, as they have reached a point to vote for the first time – but the government has put things in place to discourage first time voters, which is quite unfair on the path of first time voters, as young people in Sierra Leone have been longing to exercise their democratic right.
He concluded that as leaders, we all have to account for the lives lost during the August 10th protest, as we are all victims of bad governance. Every Sierra Leonean has a responsibility to uphold. The problem of first time voters registration exercise is mainly problematic in the northern and western Area of Sierra Leone – he believed that if this is the case then it is somehow deliberate.
He urged the ECSL to do their job diligently, professionally and with ethics.
The APC Secretary General Hon. Abdulkarim Kargbo, affirmed that COPPP is a representation of Sierra Leone and it’s the very fabric on which Sierra Leone democracy stands, as they are here for the service of others.
He underscored that Section 24 of the public elections Act 2022 states the criteria for eligible voters to registration and no limitations in the law of recommendation by either a pastor, Imam’ or council member – national identification number is not a compulsory voting requirement, any other satisfactory document, must be above 18years, must be a Sierra Leonean and should be of sound mind. He stated that the ECSL should be left to do their work without any intimidation from the government.
He concluded that COPPP felt bullied and robbed by the actions of the government in the registration process – as the participatory approach is the spirit of democracy.
He urged ECSL should not stop Registration when people are ready to register, as the ECSL is an independent institution and should not be intimidated by the government. He thanked COPPP for organizing such a press conference as it is highly necessary.
The event ended with eyewitness testimonies from 22 years old Abdul Kamara, Emma Musa Kamara (20), Alie Mansaray (22), and Mohamed Wurrie Jalloh (20).
