Leader and Presidential Candidate of the oppositon All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Samura Kamara, has openly criticized the outcome of the June 24, 2023, elections in a detailed press statement. He alleges that the elections were rigged and accuses the Electoral Commission, led by Mr. Mohamed Konneh, of playing a significant role in this misconduct.
Dr. Kamara, in his address to Sierra Leoneans, offered an apology for the distress that citizens have experienced due to the “electoral coup” he describes. He underscores that the recent election debacle stands as a dark mark in the history of democratic Sierra Leone.
The heart of the issue seems to revolve around the alleged mishandling of election results. Dr. Kamara, representing the APC party, claims that despite numerous requests, Chief Electoral Commissioner Konneh failed to provide public access to polling station vote counts. He contends that the announced results, therefore, do not genuinely represent the people’s will.
The strong sentiment against the current Bio-led regime is palpable in Kamara’s statement. He frames the recent events as not only a political misstep but also a threat to the nation’s hard-won democracy, highlighting human rights violations and economic instability under President Julius Maada Bio.
However, hope is not lost. In a move toward reconciliation and seeking the truth, Dr. Kamara highlights the forthcoming inter-party dialogue as an opportunity for peace and diplomacy. This dialogue is seen as a chance to address and possibly rectify the issues surrounding the recent elections.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Kamara calls on Mr. Konneh to release the polling station vote counts for an independent forensic audit, suggesting that the APC’s future actions will be determined by this move. He ends with a prayer for unity and democracy in Sierra Leone.
With the nation watching closely, this inter-party dialogue could serve as a crucial turning point for Sierra Leone, hopefully restoring trust in its democratic processes.