Three contestants have been nominated for the Presidency of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) after the close of nominations past Saturday, as disclosed by Samuel John, the Chief Electoral Commissioner.
They are; Phillip Neville, Managing Editor of Standard Times, Ibrahim Karim-Sei, outgoing scribe of the Association and BBC’s Umaru Fofanah.
A similar number have also been nominated for the Vice Presidency in which Abdul Rahman Swaray, the outgoing acting Vice President, would face serious challenge from Jonathan Leigh, Managing Editor of the Independent Observer, who once held that position and Premier News columnist Theo Nicol.
For the Secretary Generalship, the former assistant scribe, Mustapha Sesay will have a run with David Tam Baryoh, who once served as Secretary General, with Brima Dawson Kuyateh, the former Head of the Reporters Union.
In the contest for the Assistant Secretary General is Cotton Tree News (CTN) Ishmael Koroma who would be challenged by the New Age Managing Editor, John Masuba.
Standard Times Unisa Bangura, the longest serving Organizing Secretary would face stiff competition from Amadu Daramy of New Citizen and Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) Hawa Georgette Tucker.
In the race for the Public Affairs Secretary is the outgoing incumbent, Edward Marrah who would be challenged by Mohamed Massaquoi of Concord Times and Sayoh Kamara, former Editor of the “Pool” Newspaper.
New Citizen’s Managing Editor has thrown his heart into the race by vying for the Financial Secretary position alongside Mariama Sesay of Citizen Radio.
In the southern region, Richard Margao is being challenged for the Chairmanship by Pat Vandy; while it would be a three horse race between Pat Kowa, Hassan Bayoh and Khalil Kallon, as Melvin Rogers was returned unopposed for the Secretary Generalship.
Declared as contestants for the Chairmanship in the Eastern Region are incumbent Paul Joseph and Mohamed Vandi; while Sheku Tanga would vie with Awoko’s Saffa Moriba for the Vice Chairmanship and Nilmatty M. Kamara.
In the northern region, it will be a contest between Stanley Bangura against Catherine Zainab Tarawally for the Chairmanship; as Abdul S. Mansaray and Morlai S. Bangura would vie for the Vice Chairmanship.
In an interview with the Chief Electoral Commissioner he told Awoko that candidates can now embark on their campaign which would end two days before the election on November 27.
He further noted that any objection to the nominated candidates should be forwarded to him not later than 5pm tomorrow.
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