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Voter Apathy & Voter Alienation: Signs and Symptoms for Sierra Leone’s Upcoming Elections.

From the inception of democratisation in the history of Sierra Leone under the patriarchal leadership of the APC’s one party state, we have never seen political aspirants, leaders, stakeholders and sympathisers of political parties pleading with potential voters to engage in voter registration exercise on a massive scale like now for the upcoming 2023 presidential, parliamentary and local council elections.

This massive mobilisation, unannounced fore knowledge on district lock downs, transport tokens, vehicle and motor bike incentives have raised eyebrows steering our thoughtful processes on several issues with “why questions” requiring answers from those at the helm of affairs of our country and localities.

Those questions that comes to mind are as follows;

1. Are politicians doing their work well to enthuse potential voters?

2. Has the incumbent government delivered on its promises and are they felt by ordinary citizens?

3. If manifesto promises are being met, are they the felt need of the people given the current economic challenge?

4. Is reluctance by citizens to register directly linked with local representative in local councils within districts or the entire country or presidency?

5. Do citizens feel alienated about the political process?

6. Are the expectations of citizens met?

7. Are they tired of broken promises or forced implementation of rules without due regards for humanity?

8. Are social contract being bridged by politicians as in the case of the citizen’s manifesto as of last 2018 elections?

9. Is the incumbent government over zealous about priorities or are they misplaced in the first place?

The list goes on. What is clear is that reluctance and early signs of ill motivation was saying something before the incentives of late. From verbal statement and cavalier approach by citizens towards voter registration, it is clear the people aren’t happy at all.

While the figures may present otherwise in comparison to yester years of voter registration following stakeholder involvement and incentives, voter sensitisation and motivation are at their very low ebb. The same is so for motivation for prospective voters taking on their heels for registration and in fact on the day ballots are cast. There is no guarantee current voter registration will get up to 70% turnout haven observed the registration turn out and expression heard from potential voters during our media investigations. There are hopes for reversal if the current complaints are dealt with urgently and if an unbiased selection of political candidature is employed-the people’s choices. No matter how new or old they may be in politics or political parties.

The figures for first time voters and registration may be rising generally but the back-end work is quite tedious. Pleading, incentives and persuasive words leading to some form of covert compel is at its high state. The majority of prospective voters express no interest in the initial stage of the voting process which is registration before incentives. Vox pop from citizens depict elections do not bring any benefits to them and that the main reason for their turnout is for identification purposes only. Would this change in the coming months?

Given the aforementioned approaches by various players including key stake holders, I am inclined to ask few questions.

Are we heading for voter apathy or are there manifested traits of felt alienation in the governing process of previously elected persons within the country? Will the introduction of a proportional representation (PR system) of voting compound such position further?

Certainly, stakeholders including reverends, Imams, paramount chiefs, section chiefs and tribal heads have joined the process to motivate would be voters. These persons under normal circumstances would have otherwise exhibited their neutrality being public servants. Conversely, they are now buried in the guise of voter registration mobilisation demonstrating desperation and feeling the pinch of price hikes and community unrest hovering around tribal sentiments. Certainly, another question looms in the mind. How apolitical are our local and tribal leaders in politics in the last 10 years? Have we desecrated those sanctities for political gains? Are public figures being patriotic on the other hand to ensure peoples voices through the ballot boxes are heard? How do we re-engineer a politically correct aloofness for tribal, section and paramount chiefs or other public figures who should act as observers and moral guarantors for all political parties? Are we nurturing bad precedence here? Who can call the shot off in local governance and in our law books on the outright involvement of local leaders in politics? 

Given the recent voter registration turn out and the mid-term census which is contentious, the PR system is imminent. My point is what will it bring to the table in this current political dilemma for the incumbent and main opposition parties? Will forced acceptance of no alternative with powers heavily handed over to political parties to do at will what they like, maybe for the next five years, deepen the voter apathetic and alienation pathway of our politics?

Should the SLPP led government feel a slap in the face for the mid-term census result considering voter registration turnout? How can the midterm census activity be justified if the PR system is introduced. Was tax payers' money wasted? Is the intent for PR exposing further the porosity and language used in our constitution? Would section 38a of the act of parliament of the public Elections 2022 be implement not meeting relevant conditions as set in preceding and succeeding clauses?

Written by FOP Media.

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Paramount Chief Elections At Fakunya Chiefdom Moyamba District Concluded Peacefully.

Following all protocols as depicted by the Chieftency Elections Acts and Provisions of Sierra Leone's law of 2009, Funkyna Chiefdom chieftency elections located within Moyamba district reached its fall peacefully.

Four bonified households were presented as candidates for the said elections though with contention that the winning house do not merit the rights to the chieftency already conducted. The contention with potential petition, would likely come from the Ngaqui and the Panda households. The merit of such petition would be interesting to follow some members of the public opined.

In any case, the Fakunya Chieftency election went on and was completed well. On lookers and dignitaries present as provisioned for in law, exemplifies a free and fair election. There were no fights as at entry time of this report.

After first round elections leading to a run-off, the contest remained between two relatives from the same ruling house-hold namely, Samuel and Moses Bengeh.

Following diligent and transparent count of votes, the Permanent Secretary South, declares Samuel Hindoveh Bengeh the paramount Chief of Fakunya Chiefdom in Moyamba District who had 360 votes casted in his favor.

This declaration will be followed by government ascent through the Local Government Minister following which the president or his appointee will handover a Paramount Chief Staff upon receipt of an attestation document signed by Assessor Chiefs as endorsed by the Provincial Secretary South pending the absence of any petition.

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Qcell 4G is here. Get the new experience. (at LUAWA Resort HOTEL, Kenema) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMU62rLB8WF/?igshid=1btnh4b542mdw

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As Moyamba-Moyamba Junction road construction reaches 98% complete, Energy Minister, Kanjia Sesay accompanies concrete poles to Kaiyamba Chiefdom to herald electricity supply in Moyamba Town.

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The race for sustainable electricity in Sierra Leone is nigh

As shopping remain on the minds of many for Christmas celebrations, for the government, time is of essence. This time with focuses on its election promises to regions within the country, the SLPP led government is bent on achieving sustainable electricity.

In eastern Sierra Leone, active plotting of energy pole lines begin in Kenema city following His Excellency Bio's commissioning of township lights vis-a'-vis the CLSG substations acceleration for completion. Proclaiming intentions of the President on district headquarter town electrification project with re-echoes from the Energy Minister, Alhaji Kanjia Sesay, energy consultants and contractors push to meet deadlines irrespective of the festive season.

Few days ago, Tracterbel, the energy consultant contracted to oversea the implementation of substations and city lines from the 66kva CLSG electricity power to usable 33kva city lines, was seen actively working with Sinotec (the city line contractor) along Hanger Road in Kenema.

Following meticulous plotting initiations, electricity pole erection is well underway by Sinotec, the company contracted to distribute power from the CLSG substations being done by the substation contracted company, C&D.

Sustainable, reliable and full current distribution is set for actualisation and "we move" to the next stage anticipating the first transmission as the french speaking 33kva city line workers from Sinotec work ascidiously in a no nonsense manner across Kenema city ensuring all goes well for the replacement of the inefficient old 33kva line to the new capacity handling 33kva lines that will just do for all prospective connections on the national grid in the eastern city and beyond.

With vivid reassurances from the spokesperson of Tracterbel, every community ( including those not currently served), from their survey of pole locations, will be reached.

This means more on the grid with a face-lifted city and pleasure for all including energy thirsty manufacturing industries.

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Kenema Gets A Taste of President Bio's Promises

Kenema, the eastren city of Sierra Leone, over the weekend, welcomed Pavi Fort, a road construction company, to kick-start the construction of a 10km inner city road. The 10 km road construction is part of the 25km road construction budgeted for by the government of Sierra Leone for a face lift of the city.

In a rather flamboyant entry-display of the company's machinery capacity (pictured above), the people of Kenema and few dignitaries welcomed Pavi Fort's motocaid of construction machineries in Kenema city amidst lousy hunts by mortor bike riders whom were seen to locally herald the presence of dignitaries or when something special was imminent.

The people of Kenema were seen whole heartedly welcoming the company chanting our time has come and finally a great sigh of relief to sniffing dust in the heart of their city has just begun (Interpreted).

Political history from sources around the welcoming jubilations of Pavi Fort say, Kenema was debrived of such tarmac roads during the erstwhile APC lead government for their political leaning and seeing this happen now is a big dream come through.

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LIVE SUNDAY SERVICE

On air now, live Easter Service on FOP Radio. Call and be part of the program.

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On Air Now

On air now, discussion on the partial lock down across the country with specific focuses on Moyamba district. Tune in at www.fopradio.org or at FM 89.6.

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Sierra Leone Observes 3 Day Lockdown

As Sierra Leone observes a 3 day lock-down, officials announce the total number of cases of Corona virus in the country increases to 6. It is believed all cases are unlinked which therefore suggests possible community spread of the virus. People are currently observing the lock down but with pre-existing constraints on lack of adequate social amenities now compounded by the lock-down. The Minister of Information, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray says his goverment is cushioning the effect of the lock-down on vulnerable groups through the government's social security, NACSA, with the provision of Le250,000, a bag of rice, a bar of soap and some sanitary essentials to each registered disabled persons across the country.

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Social distancing: an innovative approach in eastern Sierra Leone.

As Sierra Leone finally succumbs to corona virus as evident in an index case, stores in the country had been informed days in previous presidential proclamations of helping the fight against the spread of the disease which the president in his maiden speech said it was not a matter of if but when the virus will enter the country. Today, Maada Bio, Sierra Leone's president confirmed the country has recorded its index case of COVID-19. In the eastern city of Kenema in Sierra Leone, a major merchandise called TAZ Store begins its social-distancing procedures in an innovative way. Circles leading to cashiers are drawn on the bare floor within the store to signify social distancing. A distance of 1 foot between visitors/customers intending to buy goods in the store could be seen strictly adhering to the store's COVID-19 prevention strategy. From observation, store attendants wore face masks and gloves. An enforcement of good hand hygiene was seen. A designated staff among the store's staff members was positioned at the store's entrace where a bucket of water and hand sanitizers were placed. The fight against COVID-19 is now intensified as authorities and medical staff engage in massive contact tracing.

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Sierra leone records its first case of corona virus

HE Bio, president of sierra leone announces first case of Corona virus in Sierra Leone. Imported by a 37 year old male traveller from France and had been in quarantine for 14 days. On disembarkment of the flight, hewas quarantined. The wife is a doctor. COVID-19 response now activated with security level raised high in the country.

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School closures and street trading.

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School closures and street trading at Kenema's Fisheries Market.

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School closures and street trading.

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School closures and street trading.

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The alternative to pupils staying at home.

COVID-19 is changing Sierra Leone's (SL) government delivery on the free quality education and the emphasis it once placed on schooling. H.E Rtd. Bragadier Maada BIO, SL President started on a good footing taking pupils out of streets from petty trading. COVID-19 is however sending pupils to petty trading as schools and colleges close down. Schools are expected to close on the 31/03/2020. It seems imminent school closures have influenced some pupils who have found it an alternative to sell on streets rather than staying at home. Would learning by air be reinstated? Do we envisage good parenting out of the window in this trying times?

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SERVICE IN SIERRA LEONE'S EASTERN CITY.