All People's Congress (APC) 'Non-Participation' in Governance

Mayor-Elect Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE

In Video

The APC Executive Branch has instructed its newly elected members of parliament not to participate in governance until its demands—in particular, a rerun of the recently concluded General Election, were met.

PUBLIC NOTICE from members of the ALL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS (APC) Party elected representatives for parliament are endorsing the Party's position of 'Non-Participation' in governance at a meeting held on Friday, June 30, 2023. 

The Sixth Parliament proceedings begin July 13, 2023, according to the Clerk of the Sierra Leone Parliament, Paran Tarawally. 

In the video, the Mayor-Elect, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, expresses her heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Freetonians for re-electing her as Mayor of Freetown. She also explains the APC party decision and concerns regarding their current non-participation in governance in The Sixth Parliament proceeding and the Local Council.

In Video: APC party decision of non-participation in governance in the Sixth Parliament and the local council.

Western observation teams, including the European Union (EU), accused the ECSL of inconsistencies and lack of integrity in key activities on electoral preparedness, including the tabulation of results.

The statement by the EU election observation mission (EU EOM) indicated procedures for tallying and results management came late in the electoral preparedness, clouding prospects of a transparent tabulation and results process.

Julius Maada Bio, the incumbent SLPP candidate, was declared the winner of Sierra Leone's presidential election.

The ECSL Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Konneh, said, Bio was re-elected with 56.17 percent of the votes on Saturday, June 24, 2023, and his top rival, Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara, came in second with 41.16 percent. 

APC elected representatives for parliament endorsed the Party's position of 'Non-Participation.'

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This statement from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) is worth reading in its entirety. ~ The Ambassador, US Embassy Freetown, in a tweet — 08 Jul 23.

NDI Statement on Sierra Leone PRVT

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Paran Tarawally, the clerk of Parliament, explained the ramifications of not taking oath on the first day of Parliament.

Sierra Leone 2023 Elections — Mayor

Freetown City Council (FCC)

Mayor-Elect

The Electoral Commission For Sierra Leone (ECSL) has announced Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), is the winner of the 2023 Freetown City Council elections.

A week after voting in the June 24, 2023, general election, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr defeated her main rival, Mohamed ‘Gento’ Kamara, a Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) candidate.

YVONNE AKI-SAWYERR RE-ELECTED MAYOR OF FREETOWN, DEFEATS MOHAMED ‘GENTO’ KAMARA

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has announced Aki-Sawyerr, candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), is the winner of the 2023 Freetown City Council elections.

The incumbent, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, emerged victorious in the Freetown City Council mayoral election, securing 51% of the votes with 288,683 votes. Mohamed Gento Kamara, her primary challenger, garnered 48% of the votes with 268,213 votes.

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ECSL Announces More Election Results — Parliamentary and Chairperson

ECSL 2023 Parliamentary and Chairperson |Local Council Results

ECSL Announces More Election Results - 2023 Parliamentary and Chairperson |Local Council Results.

Total Seats 2023 Parliamentary and Chairperson |Local Council

#SierraLeoneDecides2023

Sierra Leone 2023 Election: Provisional Results

Provisional results

Electoral Commission

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BREAKING NEWS: June 27, 2023: Bio (SLPP) Wins Second Term, Says' ECSL

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Provisional results from Sierra Leone's presidential election showed President Julius Maada Bio led the presidential election with 60% of valid votes counted, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has said.

The incumbent SLPP president, Julius Maada Bio, has so far polled over a million votes and currently leads his main rival, Samura Wilson Kamara of the APC, with over 200,000 votes, according to the provincial results sheet.

Some 3.4 million people registered to vote in 16 districts and 13 Registered Political Parties.

Presidential candidates must secure 55 percent of valid votes for a first-round win to avoid a run-off.

The electoral commission described the weekend poll as peaceful for the most part but acknowledged delays in some polling stations and pockets of violence.

The results detailed below are partial and do not represent the complete outcome of the Presidential election. 

The incumbent SLPP president, Julius Maada Bio, has so far polled over a million votes and currently leads his main rival, Samura Kamara of the APC.

The electoral commission says that Bio's SLPP has 56% of the vote. His closest rival Samura Wilson Kamara, of the All People's Congress (APC), is on 42%.

The final election results are due to follow, the ECSL commissioner said. 

Election update from the 60 percent provisional ballot released as reported by BBC Reporter Umuru Fofanah.

Display by State Security at Presidential Lodge

Display by State Security at Presidential Lodge.

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Updated: June 27, 2023; 12:41 pm EST

BREAKING NEWS: Bio and Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Wins The Presidential Elections for Second Term

Julius Maada Bio, the incumbent SLPP candidate, was declared the winner of Sierra Leone's presidential election. 

ECSL Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Konneh, said on Tuesday, Bio was re-elected with 56.17 percent of the votes on Saturday. His top rival, Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara, came in second with 41.16 percent. 

The opposition presidential candidate Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara of the All Peoples Congress (APC), alleged that his electoral agents weren't allowed to verify the ballot counting and is disputing the results. 

'These results are not credible, and I categorically reject the outcome announced by the electoral commission,' he said. 

Bio, 59, ran for a second term against 12 opponents. His biggest rival is the All People's Congress (APC) candidate Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara, 72, who narrowly lost to Bio in the 2018 election.

The European Union (EU) elections observation team accuses the ECSL of inconsistencies and lack of integrity in key activities on electoral preparedness, including the ongoing tabulation of results.

The preliminary statement of the EU election observation mission (EU EOM) indicated procedures for tallying and results management came late in the electoral preparedness, clouding prospects of a transparent tabulation and results process.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has been present in Sierra Leone since May 11, 2023, following an invitation from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).

The EU EOM is independent in its findings and conclusions and adheres to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation endorsed at the United Nations in October 2005.

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Updated: June 30, 2023: For Immediate Release

The United States Senate Committee On Foreign Relations 

Statement by Committee Ranking Member U.S Senator James Risch of Idaho

Risch on the recent Election in Sierra Leone, particularly the lack of transparency and escalating harassment, defaming, and targeting of citizen observers.

Risch on the recent Election in Sierra Leone, particularly the lack of transparency and escalating harassment, defaming, and targeting of citizen observers.

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Updated: July 1, 2023; 9:30 am EST

The Electoral Commission For Sierra Leone (ECSL) has announced Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), is the winner of the 2023 Freetown City Council elections.

Contested Mayoral Election

Mayor-Elect Freetown City Council

A week after voting in the June 24, 2023, general election, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr defeated her main rival, Mohamed ‘Gento’ Kamara, a Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) candidate.

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr Re-Elected Mayor of Freetown, Defeats Mohamed ‘Gento’ Kamara

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has announced Aki-Sawyerr, candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), is the winner of the 2023 Freetown City Council elections.

The incumbent, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, emerged victorious in the Freetown City Council mayoral election, securing 51% of the votes with 288,683 votes. Mohamed Gento Kamara, her primary challenger, garnered 48% of the votes with 268,213 votes.

Sierra Leone High-Stakes General Election - Update

High voter turnout recorded in many areas

Amid a cost-of-living crisis

People wait to cast their votes for the national elections at a polling station in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on June 24, 2023 

Freetown, Saturday, June 24 - amid a cost-of-living crisis, polling stations for the fiercely contested presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections opened later than the 7 am scheduled time in the capital, Freetown. They were due to close at 5 pm local time, and vote-tallying commenced. Provisional results are expected within 48 hours, according to the information ministry. According to the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone website, some 4 million people registered to vote in 16 districts, with 11,832 polling stations. 13 Registered Political Parties. Both sides have called for calm.

The general election is the fifth since the country’s brutal civil war ended more than two decades ago.

ECSL - electoral act no 6 of 1991

2023 Presidential Candidates

Presidential candidates must secure 55 percent of valid votes for a first-round win to avoid a run-off. Voters will also elect members of parliament and local councils in a proportional representation system after a last-minute switch from a first-past-the-post system.

Voters have said they want to see real change in the country against the high cost of living, youth employment, and a decent way of life

From the backdrop of the election on Saturday, though peaceful for the most part, instances of fraud, voter suppression, and electoral irregularities were observed and demonstrated the vulnerabilities in the election.

The main opposition APC also said their election representatives were attacked and intimidated.

In Video:

From the backdrop of the election on Saturday, instances of fraud, voter suppression, and electoral irregularities were observed.

Council of Churches in Sierra Leone

Preliminary Statement from CCSL based on reports received from its Observers and Supervisors - 24th June 2023.

CcSL June 24, 2023 General Election Statement

In the lead-up to the June 24 election, the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Germany, France, and the European Union issued a joint press release reminding all political parties of their pledge to commit to nonviolence and to conduct themselves peacefully following reports of election-related violence.

police officers fired rubber bullets and teargas at supporters of the opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC), during a protest in the capital Freetown calling for the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Konneh, to step down after allegations of electoral fraud.

Last August, riots left at least 27 civilians and six police officers dead as anti-government protests turn deadly.

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Timeline:

Updated: June 25, 2023; 12:36 pm, EST

Polling closed late into yesterday evening in Sierra Leone across many areas due to delays in the delivery of ballot papers in several polling stations.

Millions of people had queued up outside polling centers well before 7 am when voting should have commenced.

The official results of the election will not be declared until all the votes are tallied.

Electoral Commission in a statement:

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) like to inform the public, Elections Stakeholders and Political Parties that the tallying of the 24 June 2023 Multitier Election Results will commence Sunday, 25 June 2023, in the respective Regional Tally Centres —Locations:

Political parties, interested national and international observers, and the media were invited to observe the tallying process — Time 8:00 am. Two (2) persons per institution (media, Domestic/International Observer) will be allowed only.

Western Area National Data Centre, 15 Industrial Estate, Wellington, Freetown

South Region ECSL Regional Office, Reservation Road, Bo City

East Region ECSL Regional Office, Reservation Road, Kenema City

North Region ECSL Regional Office, Azzolinni Highway, Makeni City

Northwest District Council Hall, Port Loko City

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Joint Post-Election Press Statement by Ecowas and African Union Election Observation Missions To The 2023 General Elections in Sierra Leone

Joint Post-Election Press Statement by Ecowas and African Union Election Observation Missions To The 2023 General Elections in Sierra Leone

Sunday, June 25, 2023, police opened fire and teargas at the main opposition APC headquarters in Freetown as voters await the results of the fiercely contested general election.

police opened fire and teargas at the main opposition APC headquarters in Freetown as voters await the results of the fiercely contested general election

The opposition’s presidential candidate Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara of All People’s Congress (APC) said on Twitter that live bullets had been fired at his office inside the party headquarters on Sunday.

According to an eyewitness, APC member Matron Mahawa Dumbuya was hit by a bullet inside the APC party office.

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr (YAS), also, a prominent APC member bidding for a second term as Freetown mayor, tweeted photos from inside the building showing people taking cover on the floor.

“I am in the APC Party office and we are under fire,” she wrote.

APC member Matron Mahawa Dumbuya

Police, in a statement, said members of the APC had paraded through Freetown — announcing to the public that they had won the election.

They attracted a large gathering of supporters outside the headquarters, who started harassing passers-by, the force said. They had to fire tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd 'when the situation became unbearable.'

Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara On Twitter

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr On Twitter

The Electoral Commission is yet to officially announce the June 24 general election results.

REEL — RAW VIDEO

Sunday, June 25, 2023, police opened fire and teargas at the main opposition APC headquarters in Freetown as voters await the results of the fiercely contested general election.

Statement from Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara - June 24, 2023, All Peoples Congress party (APC) Presidential Candidate.

Statement by Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara - June 24, 2023, All Peoples Congress party (APC) Presidential Candidate.

Press Release: Lead Up to Sierra Leone General Election

The International Community issued a Joint Press Release

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

In the lead-up to the 24 June presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections, the international community is concerned about the recent incidents of violence and reminding all political parties of their pledge to commit to nonviolence and to conduct themselves peacefully. 

JOINT sTATEMENT BY UK, U.S., IRELAND, GERMANY, FRANCE AND EU DELEGATION

Idris Elba Appeals for Young Sierra Leoneans to Exercise 'None Violence' During the General Election

"This election, please let it be peaceful"

By Theo Edwards; Updated June 19, 2023

Idris Elba passionately appeals for young Sierra Leoneans to exercise 'None Violence' during the general election for president and parliament that will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

IDRIS ELBA PASSIONATELY APPEALS FOR YOUNG SIERRA LEONEANS TO EXERCISE 'NO VIOLENCE' DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION SLATED FOR JUNE 24, 2023.

Idris Elba has called for a peaceful general election in Sierra Leone, which will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023. 

"This election, please let it be peaceful," he said in a message in Pidgin English - 'other African nations and the world will be watching us.' On the same day, the Commonwealth Observer Group in Sierra Leone, led by former Nigerian Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, called for peaceful elections to reflect; the will of the people.

Elba reminded young Sierra Leoneans that they have the 'power' in this vote and that if the country is destroyed due to violence, it will be down to us Sierra Leoneans to have to build it back up again.

The votes on Saturday will be the country's sixth presidential vote since a military takeover in 1992. It will see the incumbent, President Julius Madaa Bio of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), go up against Dr. Samura Kamara of the All People's Congress (APC) _the main opposition party. 

There have been arrests of critical opposition voices in the run-up to the general election.

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A native of Sierra Leone, Idris Elba, arrived in Freetown for the first time. Elba was born and raised in London; his mother, Eve, is from Ghana, and his father, Winston, is from Sierra Leone, where he has expressed interest in investing in eco-tourism. Mr. Elba’s visit to Sierra Leone had been long-awaited.

Idris Elba arrived in Sierra Leone on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Elba’s visit to Sierra Leone had been a long-awaited _article by Theo Edwards.