By: Ilyasa Baa
As tension over the forthcoming multi-tier elections mounts in Bombali District which is seen as a stronghold of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), the District Coordinator, of the National Commission for Civil Education (NaCCED), Ibrahim Jalloh has warned political parties to be civil and be mindful of the words they are using during campaigns.
He made this pronouncement following a two hours consultative meeting held at Manner Hill in Makeni conducted by the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation, SLBC for the APC, Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) and Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) which graced the important meeting ahead of the elections.
According to Jalloh, the Commission has over the years been preaching peaceful elections across the country making citizens understand that the peace of the country is bigger than any political party. He said without peace, there will be no election or development in the country. He said hate speech should not be tolerated on the radio station which he said many people are listening to at this crucial time in our electoral calendar. He stressed the need for politicians to tailor their messages in the right way to reduce the looming political tension in the district.
Bombali District Public Relations Officer of the main opposition All People’s Congress Party (APC) Samuel I Koroma expressed his appreciation over the meeting held by the Corporation. He said the meeting was timely, adding that they would ensure that the airspace is not used to disseminate hate speech.
Station Manager of SLBC Makeni, Nasiru Deen Koroma, said as a public broadcaster established by an Act of Parliament passed in 2010 said their programmes have been reviewed, noting that the station is committed to giving equal opportunities to all political parties contesting the forthcoming elections. He said the meeting was a consultative meant to keep political parties abreast with the latest development to set the stage for a peaceful electioneering process.
Harold Kamara of Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) called on political parties to desist from making hate speeches or trying to intimidate people. He said they would continue to engage political parties during and after the electioneering process.
The Mediation and Programmes Officer, North, at the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), Mrs Lahai Janneh, said the media play an important role towards maintaining the peace. She said the Commission would continue to monitor the electioneering processes.