Sierra Leone finds itself at a crossroads today, as power is once again placed in the hands of the people. However, we must question whether true power truly resides with the masses. Elections in Africa have been marred by violence, discord, and animosity, raising doubts about the validity of citizens’ votes. Often, elected leaders exploit the country’s resources to amass personal wealth, while the impoverished population bears the brunt of their actions. Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality faced by the people of Sierra Leone.
The presidential and parliamentary elections in Sierra Leone are currently underway amidst a severe cost-of-living crisis. Polling stations in the capital, Freetown, opened later than the scheduled time of 7 am, as reported by AFP journalists on Saturday. These stations are expected to close at 5 pm (17:00 GMT).
Approximately 3.4 million individuals are registered to vote, with 52.4 percent of them being under 35 years old, according to a spokesperson for the electoral commission. There are thirteen candidates competing for the presidential post, including the incumbent Julius Maada Bio. The crippling economic crisis, which sparked violent riots last year, remains a pressing issue at the forefront of this election.
In order to secure a first-round victory, presidential candidates must obtain 55 percent of valid votes. Incumbent Bio faces a strong challenge from Samura Kamara of the All People’s Congress (APC) party. Bio, aged 59, belonging to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), narrowly defeated Kamara, aged 72, in a run-off election in 2018.
Sierra Leone shares similar characteristics with Nigeria, which recently concluded its presidential elections on February 25th. Just as Sierra Leoneans desire change, Nigerians also sought a similar transformation. This deeply impoverished West African nation has faced significant challenges, including a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002, the Ebola epidemic a decade later, and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.
Rising food prices have emerged as a prominent concern for many voters in this import-dependent nation of eight million people. Official figures indicate that year-on-year inflation reached 43 percent in April. Boubacar Conteh, a 27-year-old from Wellington in the east of Freetown, patiently waited since four in the morning to cast his ballot, expressing his desire for change and the need for his country to progress.
In addition to the presidential election, voters will also elect members of parliament and local councils through a proportional representation system, which was implemented at the last minute, replacing the previous first-past-the-post system. Notably, Sierra Leone has made strides in promoting gender equality in politics with the passage of a recent gender act, mandating that one-third of all candidates must be women. However, the introduction of an 11.9 percent vote threshold may hinder the prospects of independent candidates and minority parties in securing parliamentary seats. There is a common perception that jobs and benefits tend to favor regions represented by the ruling politicians.
Bio, a former coup leader in the 1990s, has prioritized education and women’s rights during his first civilian term. His policies have garnered attention and support. The outcome of these elections is being closely monitored in West Africa, a region that has recently experienced coup d’états and political turmoil. In light of reports of election-related aggression, a group of foreign ambassadors issued a joint statement on Wednesday, calling for peace.
As Sierra Leoneans go to the polls, the collective hope is that these elections will pave the way for the change they ardently desire.
