The National Election Watch (NEW) has named the Deputy Transport Minister Ibrahim Pat-Sowe in an attempt to shame him for his role in the recently conducted bye-elections in constituency 106.
In a press release issued yesterday Tuesday, NEW said “In Constituency 106 in Freetown NEW also observed attempts at intimidation and harassment by a senior official in the government, Ibrahim Pat-Sowe, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation.”
The release further alleged that the Deputy Minister “led a group of people in a convoy to various polling centers causing undue tension and disruption.”
The NEW release further observed that “there was total disregard and disrespect of the process displayed by supporters outside few Polling Centers. For instance, at the Freetown fire force on A.J Momoh Street, police had clashes with supporters who wanted to force their way into the polling center.”
“It was also observed at the Ansarul Islamic Primary School at Sorie town in Freetown that, rival supporters of the two main parties engaged in a bitter argument and exchanged abusive languages around the polling center which saw the suspension of the voting process until the police were called who then settled the fracas.”
The release further warned “Political parties are encouraged to ensure that no individual or entity irrespective of their positions or affiliation should deny Sierra Leoneans of this opportunity to participate freely and without fear of intimidation. Political parties have more work to do to strengthen a code of conduct among their own membership and to set an example of the appropriate behavior to their supporters. “
The political space the release went on “is now open to all groups, parties and individuals through the ballot box. National Election Watch calls on all Sierra Leoneans to take part in this important event of choosing leadership with the due respect that the process deserves.”
The NEW release however had praises for the Police stating that they were “encouraged by the response of the Sierra Leone Police and National Electoral Commission who controlled the situation, as NEW does not condone this type of behavior in our electoral process as democracy takes root in the country. Citizens are called upon to exercise restraint and demonstrate political tolerance during electoral processes. NEW commends the SLP for their swift response in centers where violence ensued and also their visible and active presence at the polling Centers was noted.”
On the issue of the process itself, the release stated that “Voting materials were adequate in all the polling stations” though it pointed out that “The voter turnout was very low in constituency 106 which showed 19% turn out compared to a very high turnout in the last election,” adding that “several people reported their voter IDs were missing and even where NEC had made provisions for such voters they did not turn up.”
“The main political parties fielded party agents in each of the polling stations in the two constituencies. The party agents behaved well as far as the polling went. National Election Watch (NEW) observed the polls in constituencies 87 and 106 and placed one observer in every polling station together with supervisors in the process.”
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