Sierra Leone News: No referendum on NEC timeline

Politics

In February, when the announcement for the presidential and other elections were made, the President also announced that as the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) had concluded their work, and the government will be having a referendum in September, a few months before the general elections. But this will not happen. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has released the timeline for their activities wherein there is no date for a referendum. Albert Massaquoi, Director of External Outreach, confirmed that indeed they will not be having a referendum and so it was not included in the timeline. In an interview with the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joseph Kamara, in June, he said, “There is a high probability that if there is a need for a referendum it could be held but we have to examine whether we need it or not… Because some of the changes that were recommended, we have accepted as government do not need a referendum. Those that need referendum we will take a special look at and see if we need to expend the kind of resources on that”. A sub-committee had been set up by the government to look at the recommendations of the CRC. The sub-committee developed a matrix for a possible referendum. The NEC timeline has also allayed the fears of some that elections will not be held in March 2018. As Massaquoi said, “Section 84(2) of the 1991 Constitution provides, “There shall be a session of Parliament not later than 28 days from the holding of an election of MPs. Thus, from 7 March to 4 April 2018 is exactly 28 days and so elections will be held on the 7th March which falls under the constitutional mandate.” Other dates in the timeline include: printing of Provisional Voter Register, Exhibition, Inquiry and corrections and Printing of Final Voter Register and distribution, which will be done in July to September 2017. Between 17 January to 26 2018, will be nomination period for Presidential and Parliamentary elections (including Paramount Chief Members of Parliament, 27th to 30th January are days set aside for objections, appeals to NEC and publication of final list of candidates. BM/18/7/17 By Betty Milton Wednesday July 19, 2017.

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