News Story

FREETOWN: MAADA GBESSAY KAI: Concerned Sierra Leoneans have accused the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Madam Christiana Thorpe of double standards ahead of the July 5 Local Council elections. The accusation came following statement made by Dr. Thorpe at a news conference held on Monday June 23rd at SLENA that the closing date for the acceptance of withdrawal of candidates for the forthcoming elections is on Wednesday June 25th instead of the date she had announced before, May 25.
Speaking to New Vision yesterday a civil society activist Mohamed Fengai recalled Monday June 9th when Dr. Thorpe said at a news conference that thirty seven (37) letters of withdrawal from nominated candidates had reached the Commission and that their action was legitimate and in line with the nominations procedures laid down by the Commission.
The NEC boss however pointed out during that press conference that withdrawals received after the May 25th 2008 deadline will not be accepted by the Commission.
"However withdrawals received after May 25th will not be removed from the ballot papers as these are in the final stages of printing", Dr. Thorpe stated in the June 9th news conference.
Candidates as well as the informed public were astonished though not surprised when on Monday June 23rd the same Dr. Thorpe contradicted herself by saying at a press conference that the deadline for withdrawal from the race is Wednesday June 25th, and that fifty (50) Independent candidates have already withdrawn.
They referred to the action of the Commission as a deliberate attempt to give more chance to the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) to persuade Independent candidates to step down in a bid to give them advantage to have more seats in the councils. The areas affected are Port Loko, Kambia, Bombali, Koinadugu and Tonkolili Districts in the Northern Province and Kono in the Eastern province.
One political observer questioned the neutrality of the NEC in the forth coming elections. Mr. Alpha Mansaray indicated that the APC did not give people time to campaign against them in their strongholds.
"If the APC is popular I see no reason why they are kicking against Independent candidates contesting against them right across the country even in their strongholds" a civil society activist Foday Lahai remarked.