By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The National Council for Civic Education in collaboration with the National Commission for Democracy, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance together with the European Union has on Monday 19th June 2023 ended a one-day National stakeholders Dialogue on the Proportional Representation System with the theme “Understanding the Proportional Representation System for Peaceful Elections” at the New Brookfield’s Hotel Conference Hall in Freetown.
The Chairman of the National Council for Civic Education Mr Kalilu Tontagi (NACCED) said with support from the EU and IDEA the work on the education of the PR system started off with a participation survey that they did with the Institute of Governance Reform (IGR), from the survey conducted, only 41% of Sierra Leoneans know about how the PR system works.
He went out that a total of about 3,000 young people were trained from across all the regions.
He continued that the aim of the training was to deepen the knowledge of the public on the well-being of institutions and the need for a peaceful election.
Mr Tontagi went on that if the people are well educated about issues of public concern, no individual or group of persons would incite anyone to cause havoc or disturb the peace of the country.
He also made mentioned that in the recently conducted survey, they found out that our neighbouring countries were the greatest source of fake news, that is being spread all over social media.
Mr Kaliliu Tontagi said there has been participation and engagements with partners in which he said a three-set animation plan has been put together that addresses participation and voting and violence.
He added that as an institution they seek to address the issue of void votes, as he said the number of void votes during elections is more than the presidential vote a presidential candidate gets.
Furthermore, he said there has been dialogue with community people and leaders to refrain from wearing party colours or party shirts to cast their votes on Election Day.
He also said that with support from the ECSL, an animation on the education of the PR has been on air across all radio and broadcasting stations.
He advised members of the public and the nation to keep peace and be informed of happenings across the country through detailed news briefs rather than from fake social media audios that circulate.
Dr Idrissa Tarawallie Head of Program at IDEA said a panel discussion was held a few weeks ago on the preparedness of the electoral process. The event he said is being led by two state institutions whose aim is to promote peace and national cohesion for a better Sierra Leone.
He went on that democracy is not only about elections even though he said this in an entry space.
He said the international institute for democratic and electoral assistance is leased to be a part of the educational process in promoting peace.
A representative from the National Commission for Democracy Mr Benjamin Macfoy commends both institutions for working together to educate and sensitize the public on the PR system and the need for peaceful elections. He said knowing and understanding the PR system in such a timely manner is meaningful. Peace he said is pre-exquisite to national development.
Madam Hawa Samai from the ICPNC said their organization has been working hand in hand with civil societies and partners and had extensive consultation and dialogues with partners, stakeholders, and political parties in the promotion of peace and education of the PR system.
She said her organization has deployed mediators across the country and a peace situation room with a toll-free line to report on electoral violence and a better understanding of the PR system.
A representative from the Office of National Security (ONS) Mr Languba Kelli said elections are a hallmark of good governance and that the conduct of the June 2023 elections should not be different from previous elections.
He concluded that the peace and stability of the country are in the hands of every Sierra Leonean.
The PPRC chairman Mr Abdulai Bangura said as an institution they are one of the referees and are often called co-suspects as he said they deal with politics and the politicians.
He encouraged all to be peaceful as he said peace is not about any particular person or institution but about a nation.
He said peace has to come from within an individual. He went on that there has been engagement that centres around peace.
He continued that when the ban on rallies was instituted, they received backlash from the country and accusations of the right to an assembly.
He cautioned that politicians do not want the nation to be peaceful as he said they have made the political landscape toxic for the common good.
While representing the Electoral Commission (ECSL), Mr Momoh M Kanneh said as an institution when violence is encountered it is difficult for voters to access polling stations. He said the first phase of the implementation of the PR system was done by targeting the voting stage.
He also went on that polling day there will be staff available for pre-sensitization before voting.
He also went on that political parties were also tasked to educate their supporters on the use of the PR system and in preaching peace.