(VOX-PROP)
Compiled By:Hafsatu Z Bangura
Tension, panic and anxiety over the upcoming multi-tier June 2023 elections have been a topic of discussion on the lips of every Sierra Leoneans.
The country is set to make history of their choice of leader for the next five years; there has been political tension between the ruling party (SLPP) and the main opposition party (APC) causing fear and unrest amongst Sierra Leoneans as they head to the polls.
In today’s vox prop, we interviewed citizens who are eligible voters prepared to cast their vote for a candidate of their choice, in which many citizens feel unsafe, scared of going out on elections day and rumors of postponement of the election are part of their revelations made so far.
Aminata Mansaray a petty trader said she is worried about the elections, and a series of protests happening across the country that she said is affecting the sale of business. She said these unwarranted protests have led to loss of lives, attacks, and instability amongst citizen’s and security forces and politicians whom she said these innocent citizens claim to fight for.
According to her all-political parties are to be blamed for these protests and unrest happenings, she went on that nor the opposition or ruling party, neither the independent parties are condemning these acts nor answerable to these acts.
She cautioned that politicians should be held accountable for these acts and that both major political parties in the country should be held accountable for these happenings.
Mrs. Mansaray said she is scared to go out on elections day and that both political parties neither deserve her vote due to the lack of irresponsible incitement of politicians to innocent youths’ days to the elections.
A majority of respondents from the vox prop said they are unaware or lack the educative knowledge of the PR system despite having heard of it and the inclusion of parliamentary and council elections alongside the Presidential race, some of these voters also expressed fear in the credibility of the election and its result.
Jeneba Kosia a young graduate from the university of Sierra Leone has opined her view that she and her family members would not partake in the upcoming election process, the reason being that their fear of violent happenings at polling stations has created an imaginary scenario in their minds with the reality of violence and brutality happening amongst the youths and security forces.
She said politicians lure these youths into these situations for their selfish gains. Furthermore, she called on youths to refrain from violence and from politicians who use them as puppets for their selfish activities.
Isha Kamara a shoe seller said she is unaware of the elections being held due to rumors of the election being postponed; she said she heard of the rumors at the market place.
She continued that citizen are scared to go out on a normal day due to the high tension across the country. She also said that she has little or no knowledge of how to vote and the PR system being used for the June 2023 elections, as she said she has heard of it but lacks understanding of it and the rumours of postponed elections have led to her not casting her vote on election day because she said she is not sure whether the elections would hold.
Ibrahim Kanu a graduate also from the University of Sierra Leone said he is ready to vote on the 24th of June 2023 for a candidate of his choice, as he said such would determine his right to a better future for his family and him. He also cautioned youths to refrain from violence and that they should channel their energy on the ballot box rather than listen to politicians who engage in violent activities.
Wisdom Koroma a teacher said he is unsure about the elections and the safety of citizens during the election, reason he said he will not be voting at this year’s election due to the violent happenings across the country, rather he called on all to go out and vote but ensure that their safety is paramount.
Amara Dumbuya said he and his family are prepared for Saturday as he said that day is a historic day in the lives of every Sierra Leoneans and he is hereby urging them to go out in massive numbers to choose a leader for the next five years. He further urged citizens to be peaceful and law-abiding to prevent any violence or disruption during voting on Election Day.
