March 6, 2018 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
Executive members of CAASL
The Commonwealth Alumni Association of Sierra Leone (CAASL) has added their voice to calls for a peaceful conduct of the March 7 multitier elections.
Over three million eligible will join queues from across the country to cast their vote for candidates that will represent them in parliament, local councils and the presidency.
There has been flashes of violence during a month of campaigning by sixteen registered political parties, especially involving the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) and the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
Assistant Secretary General of the association, Dr. Susan Roberts, stated that they were cognizant of the tremendous benefits of peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections in any democratic state.
She reminded Sierra Leoneans on the impact of the decade-long civil war on the country’s socio-economic development, and appealed that everything was done to prevent a recurrence of such sad event.
“We are also aware of the occurrence of some of the political skirmishes since the declaration of the start of campaigning by the National Electoral Commission,” she said.
She enjoined all Sierra Leoneans to be mindful that peace and stability were critical to socio-economic development of every nation, while calling on all parties to demonstrate leadership and tolerance by preaching and exhibiting peace and orderliness before, during and after elections.
Dr. Roberts also called on all Sierra Leoneans to keep the peace and exercise their franchise by going out to vote peacefully, while respecting the opinions and beliefs of others.
Also, chairman of CAASL, Sonnia-Magba Bu-Buakei Jabbie, said: “We are keen to see a successful conduct of the elections. We think that we should add our voice to other organisations that have called for peaceful elections.”