SLAJ speaks on Presidential debate

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ) in collaboration with eight other organizations, on Monday engaged the media on the coming Presidential debate scheduled for October 30th, 2012.
Democracy Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation, Campaign for Good Governance, BBC Media Action, National Democratic Institute (NDI), Action Aid Sierra Leone, Open Society Initiatives for West Africa (OSIWA) and Search for Common Ground (SFCG) made up the other eight organizers, as the briefing took place at the Harry Yansaneh Memorial Hall, SLAJ headquarters, Campbell Street, Freetown
In his statement during the briefing, President of SLAJ, Umaru Fofanah disclosed that in early September this year, they (organizers) set out the criteria that will qualify a political party to participate in the debate, as the party in question should have a seat in Parliament and that they should have field in candidates for parliamentary seats for at least 90% of the constituencies.
He maintained that in an informal visit to President Koroma, the President guaranteed his commitment to the debate, as he also made it when they (the organizers) went to get his consent, adding that the opposition Sierra Leone People Party (SLPP) also registered their commitment in a letter written to the organizers stating that their candidate will be available for the debate on the schedule date.
According to Umaru Fofanah, the debate will be live on radio stations and will be on television stations and video centers within twenty-four hours after the debate, as “it will be an advantage for both contestants to sell out their ideas to the electorate”, maintaining that the debate will be interesting, as it will be one on one with no other party assisting or conniving against one particular candidate.
In support of this point, Monica Timbo, representing Campaign for Good Governance, said that “this particular debate will help shape the minds of the electorates in making informed decisions, as there are so many undecided voters” who can change their mind within that period
The SLAJ president disclosed that apart from the pressmen who will be invited to cover the debate from the press gallery, they will only invite two hundred people as spectators, as the steering committee will decide on the invitees.