By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
Sierra Leone’s Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman National Returning Officer Mohamed Kenewui Konneh has this afternoon announced a partial result of the presidential results of the small west African nations ‘s Saturday polls with incumbent president Julius Maada Bio of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) leading with 1, 067, 666 votes over his main rival Samura Kamara of the All peoples Congress (APC) party polling 793,751 votes.
‘’National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Presidential candidate polled 14, 829. Bio Julius Maada Bio of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) 1, 067,666 and Kamara Samura Mathew- Wilson of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Party 793,751 votes,’’ Konneh announced to journalists at Aberdeen in Freetown.
Konneh told journalists and international observers in Freetown that the results represent 60 percent of total polling station results processed each district , cleared by the country’s electoral Commission Result Management systems at Regional Tally centres in Freetown , Bo, Kenema , Makeni and Portloko, but added the results are partial and do not represent the complete outcome of the presidential election.
‘’By the powers conferred on me as the National Returning Officer, I hereby release partial presidential election results for presidential election conducted on 24th June, 2023,’’the country’s electoral body announced.
Bio won the 2018 elections with 51.8% of the votes cast while Samura Kamara of the now opposition APC party polling 48% of the votes. Bio campaign on a new direction agenda with its main flagship programme providing Free Quality education to citizens and combatting corruption among other promises.
‘’Final certified results will be announced within the next 48 hours. The ECSL is the only constitutionally -mandated authority responsible to announce election results. The ECSL remained committed to producing accurate results that reflect the will of Sierra Leoneans as expressed on the ballot papers they so diligently cast, on election day,’’ Sierra Leone’s electoral chief assured.
On Sunday, both parties claimed victory in Saturday’s polls with the main opposition stating that ‘’ is on an irreversible path to an overwhelming victory’’ in Saturday’s polls adding that they will not accept any skewed, manipulated and unverified results from the country’s electoral body.
‘’ In the meantime, I want to assure all our supporters and the citizens of Sierra Leone that the APC is on an irreversible path to an overwhelming victory. Be rest assured that I and the APC party would not and shall not accept any skewed, manipulated and unverified results. The APC seeks a smooth transition and urge the ECSL and all other stakeholders in the electoral process, including the security forces, to facilitate this. I thank you. God Bless the Republic of Sierra Leone,’’ Samura Kamara added.
Whilst ruling party SLPP stated ‘’Based on our internal tallying processes of results, the SLPP is confident of a landslide victory for his excellency The President Rtd. Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio. Results tabulated in our party tally centres indicate that there will no run off’’
Kamara and Bio must reach threshold of 55% percent of the votes in the first round to be declared winner. If both candidates did not achieve this, a run-off will be held by the country’s electoral body.
Bio is seeking re- elections amidst rising cost of living, economic hardship, high inflation and unemployment among youths in the west African nation.
