“President Koroma awarded me the symbol and authorized the Secretary General to endorse it. I later went to the National Electoral Election (NEC) for final approval of the documentation that made me eligible to contest and campaign” These were the exact words of Alex Sam Turay who allegedly posted his campaign materials at Constituency 112 ward 393 despite the absence of his name on the final nomination list published by NEC.
After the declaration of the start of campaigning early this week and the subsequent publication of the nomination list of contestants for the July 5 Local Government Election, it was discovered that though Mr Alex Sam Turay had displayed and posted handbills at strategic parts of Lumley during the week, yet his name was not on the NEC list.
In an exclusive interview with Alex Sam Sesay he revealed that it all started during the Award of the APC symbol two months ago, and he had completed all legal documentation necessary for the nomination and submitted it to authorities concerned. He also alleged that his name was previously published at the Adelaide Street Branch office of the National Electoral Commission.
Sam Turay maintained that all the documents that were signed by the President and the APC Secretary General are currently in his possession and he has spent a lot of money to register his nomination and the conduct the on-going campaign within his constituency.
“I was given the same symbol and poster given to other counselors contesting the election under the APC party I see no reason why NEC failed to publish my name on the nomination list” he queried.
He expressed his disappointment and frustration over the manner in which NEC and the APC party executives are treating his issue and they continued to give assurances that were vague to him he complained.
He threatened to pursue his campaign through meetings and posting of campaign materials though only the photocopied hand bills and posters are out on the streets and walls but he also plans to post the colored ones immediately.
He also alleged that the document in his possession had the signature of both the Secretary General Victor Bockarie Foh and President Koroma the national Chairman of the ruling APC party during the approval for the party symbol. Sam Turay blamed officers at the party secretariat for this blunder, particularly the APC Secretary General for creating this unprecedented embarrassment to him and his supporters who are eager to clench the councilor’s seat at Lumley.
According to the nomination list for all aspirants contesting the Local Council Election in the country, it indicates that contestants for the Freetown City Council (Single member ward) for 393 are Mary Harding APC, Edward Mann PMDC and Donald Koroma of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party SLPP.