APC Press Release On The Bye-Election Violence In Ward 196 Kambia District

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PRESS RELEASE

Saturday 30th September 2018

RE: CANCELLATION OF LOCAL COUNCIL BYE ELECTIONIN WARD 196, KAMBIA DISTRICT, HELD ON SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2018

The All Peoples Congress is in receipt of the above referenced public notice with respect to the cancellation of the Local Council Bye Election in Ward 196, Kambia District, dated on 29th of September 2018.

The All Peoples Congress hereby categorically condemns all forms of violence, intimidation and police heavy-handedness against unarmed civilians in the election that led to the alleged shooting and killing of a 14 year old minor; the shooting and wounding of an unarmed woman and the burning and looting of at least one house, all in Masunthu town in the Thonko Limba Chiefdom.

The Party wishes to inform the general public that we are in total disagreement with the decision of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to cancel the said election and we will challenge the Commission in the court of law for the following reason:

In the same letter signed by the Commissioner, the Commission referenced Section 39(1) of the 1991 Constitution:
“When the seat of any Member of Parliament becomes vacant, the vacancy shall be filled by election, not later than six months after the vacancy occurs, in accordance with the provisions of law relating to such election.”

The Commission also referenced Section 69(1) and Section 70(1) of the Public Elections Act 2012:
Section 69(1). “In conducting an election under this Act, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission shall be the National Returning Officer.” and
Section 70(1) “The Electoral Commission shall be responsible for the conduct of elections under this Act and shall make arrangements for the casting of ballots by voters.”

So far with respect to the above, we found no Section of the Constitution and or of the Act that vest such powers in the Commission to cancel an entire election process based on a flimsy reason or any reason, which has not been contested by any of the contestants in the said election.

The All Peoples Congress hereby also wish to draw the Commissioner’s attention to the powers vested in the Commission to cancel an election:
No. 4 The Public Elections Act 2012 147. “Where on an election petition or in a prosecution for an election offence under this Act, it is shown that the offence committed in reference to the election for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of a person has so extensively prevailed that it may be reasonably supposed to have affected the result, his election, if he has been elected shall be declared void by the court in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed by the court.”

The Party is aware of the powers vested in the Commission to cancel specific polling station(s) which conduct(s) deemed the necessity for such action but not the entire process especially that the said cancellation as in Ward 196 Bye Election did not influence the outcome of the election.

In view of the above and for peace and national cohesion, the APC Party remains convinced that its candidate Alusine Kamara is the winner of the said Local Council Bye Election and will duly inform local stakeholders and members of the international community, as brokers of peace.

The leadership of the APC will further seek to engage H.E. President (RTD) Brigadier Julius Maada Bio and the leadership of the SLPP to discuss the blatant disregard of the 1991 Constitution and the Public Elections Act 2012 by NEC.

MAY THE SOUL OF THE YOUNG BOY REST IN PERFECT PEACE.
LONG LIVE DEMOCRCAY!
LONG LIVE SIERRA LEONE!

Signed:

………………………………
AMB DR ALHAJI OSMAN F YANSANEH
NATIONAL SECRETARY GENERAL, APC