April 3, 2018 BY Alusine Sesay
Dr. Samura Kamara after casting his vote at Saint Paul Primary School, Kamalo town
Concord Times observes pre-and Election Day in parts of Bombali and Karene districts.
Bombali district, being the home district of the outgoing President, Ernest Koroma, and Karene – the home district of the presidential candidate of the ruling All Peoples Congress Party,Dr.Samura Kamara – were largely peaceful on voting day.
Although people came out piecemeal to cast their ballot, turnout was huge as most registered electorates cast their ballot in a peaceful atmosphere.
On the eve of March 31st, the Bombali district headquarter town of Makeni was full of activity as voters from different parts of the country were ferried to their various locations to cast their ballot the following day.
Unlike in the cities where vehicular movement was restricted on Election Day, Concord Times observed that people were ferried from rural villages to cast their votes in various polling centres – using mainly commercial motorbikes, private and commercial vehicles without accreditation from the National Electoral Commission.
On Election Day proper, our reporter observed the process in the township of Kalangba and proceeded to Kamalo where the ruling party presidential candidate cast his ballot.
In the township of Kamalo, the Polling Centre Manager at the Saint Paul Primary School, John Michael, was arrested by the police because he was not properly accredited.
His lack of proper accreditation was first detected by Dr.Samura Kamara, who questioned his presence at the Polling Centre because he was using an accreditation belonging to one of the polling staff. According to John Michael, he was given fewer number of accreditations and that he distributed them to the polling staff while he remained with nothing.
He was handed over to the police. Concord Times could not ascertain as to whether he was released before the close of polling.
Responding to interview after he cast his vote, Dr. Samura Kamara expressed optimism that he would emerge as the winner, stating that elections are one of the most important activities in every nation and that electing the wrong choice could stifle growth and development in a country.
In the township of Gbendembu, voting went on peacefully with any major incident reported.