The Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Activists –Sierra Leone Chapter has made several recommendations for a peaceful runoff election on September 8.
These recommendations were made at a one-day conference which examined the roles of the media, political parties, the police, and civil society organizations in combating elections violence.
The conference was attended by the UNDP country director, the representative of the ERSG (UNOSIL), teachers’ union, a representative of the PPRC, and a host of other organizations. At that conference delegates condemned all acts of electoral violence that had taken place since the start of campaigning.
They called on all political party leadership to stop using ex-combatants and retired soldiers as either bodyguards or to participate in political campaigns or rallies. The group called on all radio stations and newspapers to refrain from broadcasting or publishing inflammatory statements.