October 7, 2021
BY MOHAMED JALLOH
In accordance with the relevant legal frameworks, Mohamed Konewu Konneh the National Returning officer who also doubles as the Chief Electoral Commissioner has successfully announced the results of the two Bye elections conducted at Koinadugu District on 2nd October 2O21 at the National Electoral Commission`s headquarters in Freetown.
The first vacancy was reported by the Chief Administrator of the Koinadugu District Council following the death of Chairman Alex Sorie Conteh, which sad event took place on 6th July 2021.
Two political parties contested the District Council Chairperson elections which are the All Peoples Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone Peoples party (SLPP).
The total number of valid votes cast was 33,497.In the end, Lahai Lawrence Kargbo of the APC polled 20,435 votes (61.0% of total valid votes obtained) whiles Koroma Alhaji Sheku of the SLPP polled 13,061(39.0% of total valid votes obtained).
Therefore in exercise of the powers conferred on the National Returning officer by law, he thereby declares Lawrence Teteh Kargbo of the APC having polled the highest number of votes cast duly elected Chairperson of Koinadugu District Council.
The second vacancy was also reported by the Chief Administrator of the Koinadugu District Council following the death of the Councilor Alusine Janneh of the APC representing Ward 155 in the Koinadugu District Council, which sad event took place on 10th August 2021.
Also two political parties contested the Ward 155 bye elections which are the SLPP and APC. The total number of valid vote cast was 2,279.
In the end, Thoronka Allieu of the SLPP polled 1,143 votes (50.15 % of total valid votes obtained) whiles Mamudu Saio Koroma of APC polled 1,136 votes (49.85% of total valid votes obtained).
Therefore the National Returning Officer declares Kalie Thoronka of the SLPP, having polled the highest number of votes cast duly elected Councilor of Ward 155, Constituency O46 in the Koinadugu District Council. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) provided security in all the polling centres in the said district. But, there were reports of intimidation, violence, burning of election materials and carting away of election materials which are under investigations by the SLP.
Other stakeholders such as the political party registration commission (PPRC), election observer groups and the media observed the bye election on polling day and the tallying of results at the Kabala Community Centre and at the Commissions national data center at 15 Industrial Estate.