Sierra Leone’s capital remained unusually quiet on Wednesday, following President Julius Maada Bio’s inauguration for a second term after an election that his main opponent criticized as lacking credibility. The election, held on June 24th, 2023, saw President Julius Maada Bio reelected with 56.17% of the vote, while his major rival, Kamara, secured 41.16%. However, Kamara has refused to accept the results.
Expressing his discontent on Twitter, Kamara stated, “I outrightly reject the outcome as announced by the electoral commission.” Despite this, he has not delivered a formal speech since the election results were made public. Prior to the announcement, he had already criticized the election overseer for what he perceived as a “complete lack of transparency and accountability.”
National Election Watch, a coalition of civil society organizations, released a statement late Tuesday alleging irregularities in the electoral commission’s data. According to their calculations, the voter turnout was estimated to be between 75.4% and 79%, contrasting with the electoral commission’s reported figure of 83%. They also claimed that President Bio should have received between 47.7% and 53.1% of the vote, while Kamara should have obtained between 43.8% and 49.2%.
Cameron Hume, a former US ambassador who led the Carter Center’s observation mission, acknowledged flaws in the process. He noted that while the voting appeared to be conducted in a credible manner, there were incidents during the transportation and counting of ballots that raised concerns about the overall integrity of the process.
It is a common challenge for elections in Africa to be marred by irregularities, as many individuals seek power not out of a genuine desire to lead but to bolster their own status. However, despite fears of violence erupting after the results were announced, the atmosphere remained calm and peaceful. As the Muslim festival of Eid coincided with the election period, individuals in central Freetown expressed relief at the tranquility, engaging in their daily activities.
Amanda, a local resident, commented, “I’m satisfied, not necessarily with the outcome, but with how everything unfolded. Our expectations were sky-high, anticipating chaos.” She added, “Votes alone are insignificant if they are not accompanied by peace.”
Abu Kailesie, a 24-year-old student and Bio supporter, remarked, “Everyone is relaxed, doing well, and content. Life continues as usual.” Similarly, market vendors, motorcycle riders, and tuk-tuk drivers carried out their tasks undisturbed in the rain-soaked streets.
On the other hand, Alpha Kaloko, a 20-year-old bike rider, expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “I’m unhappy with these results because I believe this election was unjust and unfair. We need changes.”
While the prevailing calmness is appreciated, it raises pertinent questions about the credibility of African elections. When will the continent witness truly credible elections that captivate the world’s attention?
