The Independent Radio Network IRN last Friday provided residents in constituencies 103 and 104 in eastern Freetown the opportunity to meet with their candidates for parliamentary and local council elections and hear their plans for the constituency if they win the November 17 polls.
The IRN Election Road Show which was funded by OSIWA was held at the Up-Gun Roundabout. This is part of the network’s initiative to take the radio to the people and give them an opportunity to meet with their candidates and ask them questions.
Candidates from the Sierra Leone People’s Party SLPP, All People’s Congress APC, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) contesting for parliamentary elections in constituency 103 and 104 and an independent candidate contesting for local council elections in constituency 104, ward 371 took part in the live panel discussion.
The show was aired live on IRN’s 25 partner radio stations across the country.
Aspirants were asked to highlight their plans and then to explain how they wish to implement such plans. Explaining their plans, two female aspirants from constituency 103, Rosaline Jariatu Osaio-Smith also known as J.K from the All Peoples Congress APC and Zainab Kamara from the Sierra Leone Peoples Party SLPP promised to prioritize the issue of girl child education, women’s empowerment and job opportunity for the youths. The issues of unemployment, sanitation, low standards of education, women’s empowerment were very paramount in the intention of all the candidates.
During the question and answer time, several questions were asked by members of the audience which includes the construction of a community center and whether candidates from opposing parties will work together to develop the constituency after the elections.
As the two female candidates prioritize girl child education in their plans, questions were asked on the failed 30% quota bill and the impact they will make in enacting the bill and promoting girl child education in their constituency. Questions were also raised on the establishment of ward committees that will help facilitate development as well as collaborating in putting community interest above party interest.
Responding to the question on a community center, most of the candidates said securing a space within the constituency has been a major impediment to the construction of a community centre. The candidates promised to lobby industries within their constituency to provide jobs for youths, who they say are largely unemployed within the constituency. Rosaline Jariatu Osaio-Smith of the APC told the audience that a piece of land has been secured for a community center at cline town. She said she is currently lobbying majorstakeholders on the construction of the community centre. Madam JK said if elected in the November 17 polls as Member of Parliament in Constituency 103, she will ensure the 30%quota is passed into law. Zainab Kamara former MP of the SLPPand candidate for constituency 103 highlighted some of her successes in parliament and promised better education for the girl child, employment for youths, good sanitation among others if elected in November 17.
Mohamed Ayuba Joaque candidate from the PMDCdenounce the 30% quota bill which he said if enacted will be proportional representation.He said that the 30% quota bill will never be enacted by any government.The two candidates for local council election, Donald Williamsan independent candidate of ward 371 and Haja Marie Kamara (NDA) of ward 371 promised to establish ward committees and help in the development of their wards.
The IRN National Coordinator, Ransford Wright, in his statement, acknowledged OSIWA for their support and emphasized that the Road show presents a singular opportunity for contestants from various political parties to meet and address their constituents face to face whilst at the same time it is broadcast live on radio. The next Election Road Show will be held in Makeni in the Northern Province today.
At the end of the road show, the candidates committed themselves to non-violence and a peaceful November 17, 2012 polls.
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