TODAY, Saturday March 31, 2018 is polling day for the presidential runoff between Dr. Samura Kamara of the ruling APC and Retired Brig. Maada Bio of the opposition SLPP.
WE WILL USE THIS PAGE TO BRING YOU RUNNING HIGHLIGHTS OF ELECTIONS DAY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. CHECK THIS PAGE NOW AND AGAIN TODAY FOR ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS………
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Heavy tension between the SLPP and APC broke out at FAWE in Koidu city.
The two parties are throwing stones at each other.
The tension occurred after the APC have accused SLPP of an alleged plan to change election boxes at the centre.
The police have calmed down the situation.
KEMOH SIDIBAY
Claudius Beckley
Idrissa Conteh
Low Voter Turnouts May Spark Surprises in Results
Preliminary reports trickling in from Freetown to Pretoria say low voter turnouts have been reported across the country including areas believed to be traditionally APC and SLPP strongholds.
Despites vigorous media campaigns for people to turnout en masse, the queues were short and most of the polling stations were said to be empty most of the day.
According to various reports gathered, the poor voter turnouts were due to exhaustion of the electorate after weeks of intensive campaigns.
Other reasons cited are hunger, lack of money to feed families and the general climate of uncertainty looming over the country causing some sense of apprehensions.
Most economic activities have come to a standstill until the electoral phase is over.
It is common to hear people say these days “afta di election”.
Voter turnouts in the Western Area were particularly low. Bo also reportedly recorded low voter turnouts.
Counting is expected to start shortly.
Despite various attempts to defraud the electoral process which resulted in police arrests, the entire process is said to have gone on smoothly.
NEC, according to various credible sources, has displayed much transparency and would like to do an open door policy counting to correct previous tallying errors.
Final results will be announced tomorrow evening when counting will be complete.
Olufela Adeyemi
6: 44 PM GMT ·
Voters hanging around waiting for the counting. Counting has started in Port Loko. #SLDecides
Peaceful Voting in Freetown
Voting is going on peacefully in most parts of the Western Area, that’s according to Regional Police Commanders in the capital, Freetown.
But the Local Unit Commander at the Eastern Ross Police Station says there are minor incidents in some areas – among them is, Constituency 122, Ward 423, Polling Station 127.
Inspector Idris Sesay is the Officer Commanding at the said Polling Station. This is what he told me: “Indeed, there have been minor incidents since this morning but everything is under control now. We are on top of the situation.”
For his part, the Polling Center Manager, Frederick Kanu and his team from NEC commended the security forces for what he described as a “well coordinated job” by the Police, the Military, officers from the Correctional center, among others.
WANEP Issues 1st Observation on Run-Off Election
By Ranger
On Saturday 31st March 2018, at a Press Conference held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Aberdeen, the West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP) issued its first observation on the voting process, though the election was still on-going.
Present on the high table were eminent person which included heads of the Inter-Religious council, the head of the 50-50 group, Madam Fatmata Taqi, Campaign for Good Governance’s Valnora Edwin and the WANEP boss, Dr. Isata Mahoi.
The Press Statement of WANEP was issued at its situation room at the Radisson Blu Hotel, briefly explained the purpose of the setting up and the duration of the Election Situation Room (ESR). It was set up again on Saturday and will close on the 1st April 2018, with the aim of observing threats to the peaceful conduct of the electioneering process and provide strategic response which will prevent any election related incidences that have the potential to erupt into violence.
This observation is part of a wider programme designed to address election violence by way of a National Early Warning System (NEWS) supported by the USAID/WA.
The following were observed as at the time of the issuance of the Press Release (i.e.1.00pm):
• Some polling stations opened later than the stipulated time of 7.00am:
• An initial low turnout of voters at some polling stations, but that gradually increased:
• Reported cases of unstamped ballot papers in some polling stations:
• Instance of security personnel removing NEC officials (2) allegedly involved in electoral malpractices.
The release called on the stakeholders of the election to address these concerns swiftly, as the stability of the country rests on the credibility of the Run-Off election.
They further called on the general citizenry to exercise patience and refrain from disseminating unverified and inflammatory statements over the Social Media.
They admonished Sierra Leoneans to stay peaceful and law-abiding as they await the result of the Run-Off and even after the announcement and embrace each other.
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One of NEC staff has just been arrested in Constituency 117, (APC strong hold). He was busy voiding votes of the people in Ward 412. He is in the hands of the Military men now.
Pls party agent be vigilant.
One of NEC staff has just been arrested in Constituency 117, (APC strong hold), he was busy voiding votes of the people in Ward 412, he is in the hands of the Military men now.Pls party agent be vigilant.
Posted by Tunde Scott on Saturday, March 31, 2018
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Hon. Chernor Maju Bah and his wife, Mrs. Hawa Bah , voted at the Brookfields Hotel Polling Center. Yes wi get proof say dis wi yon Fullahman vote.
*BREAKING NEWS*
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Musa Njalley, a NEC polling center manager caught red handed in electoral manipulation in Makeni Baptist Primary School Ladies Mile, he was on the verge of taking the polling kit bag that has already been voted/ticked on all fonts for the SLPP presidential candidate to an unknown room, there upon he was caught on the act; which is an illegal interference with the process of the election.
These are videos/photos evidences which captured the incidents of electoral fraud by NEC polling center manager in the heartland of Makeni City. These videos/photos evidences clearly shows the head of NEC polling center manager falsified ballot papers in favor of SLPP presidential candidate, at multiple different polling stations on the day of elections. And it also claims to show that ballot boxes were already stuffed before voting even begins. The matter is under police investigation.
Mamu Al Conteh On M7 60 stations were annulled for over-voting, even though the list showed no over voting. SLPP contarminate polls so the North gets less votes
We will not accept a bogus result
Posted by Mamu Al Conteh on Saturday, March 31, 2018
Posted by The Makoni Times – Sierra Leone on Saturday, March 31, 2018
ANOTHER SLPP SUPPORTER CAUGHT IN ELECTORAL FRAUD
Another SLPP fraud star picked upThis is Muana Gawu trying to print out ballot papers in Bios sisters cafe
Posted by Sulaiman Forna on Saturday, March 31, 2018
U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone
Today is runoff Election Day in Sierra Leone. Good luck to all who are voting! We encourage everyone to do so in a peaceful and orderly manner. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with whichever candidate emerges as the winner.
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Karamoh Kabba and Gbakoi confront corrupt NEC officers in Gandorhun court Barry Gbaneh chiefdom kono district
Kamarainba after voting disclosed that he voted for Dr. Samura Kamara. Go out and vote for the humble Dr. Samura.
More than four NEC staff arrested around mafa field lumley without accreditation.
Also, too much irregularities going on in Bo City….. Please alert the police and military to be more proactive.
Elections materials by SLPP polling agents Alleging to be NEC Staff….
One of NEC staff has just been arrested in Constituency 117, (APC strong hold), he was busy voiding votes of the people in Ward 412, he is in the hands of the Military men now.
Pls party agent be vigilant.
.. problem at Mafa field Lumley opposite military cemetery. More than four people posing as NEC staff have been arrested.
Ise Wurie Stevens added 13 new photos.
Me I tire sef…😳😳😳 put messenger dong saful 🙄🙄🙄
Musa Nalley, a NEC polling center manager caught red handed in electoral manipulation in Makeni Baptist Primary School Ladies Mile, he was on the verge of taking the polling kit bag that has already been voted/ticked on all fonts for the SLPP presidential candidate to an unknown room, there upon he was caught on the act; which is an illegal interference with the process of the election.
These are videos/photos evidences which captured the incidents of electoral fraud by NEC polling center manager in the heartland of Makeni City. These videos/photos evidences clearly shows the head of NEC polling center manager falsified ballot papers in favor of SLPP presidential candidate, at multiple different polling stations on the day of elections. And it also claims to show that ballot boxes were already stuffed before voting even begins. The matter is under police investigation
Tunde Scott added 4 new photos.
MAKENI BE MORE VIGILANT !!
Musa Nalley, a NEC polling center manager caught red handed in electoral manipulation in Makeni Baptist Primary School Ladies Mile, he was on the verge of taking the polling kit bag that has already been voted/ticked on all fonts for the SLPP presidential candidate to an unknown room, there upon he was caught on the act; which is an illegal interference with the process of the election.
These are videos/photos evidences which captured the incidents of electoral fraud by NEC polling center manager in the heartland of Makeni City. These videos/photos evidences clearly shows the head of NEC polling center manager falsified ballot papers in favor of SLPP presidential candidate, at multiple different polling stations on the day of elections. And it also claims to show that ballot boxes were already stuffed before voting even begins. The matter is under police investigation.
President Koroma has voted. He said he will be retiring from active politics including as Chairman for life of the APC in three months.
MEDICINE MAN FROM TOGO ARRESTED
Ram Matu Rama Suma added 4 new photos — with Abdulai Jalloh and 8 others.
NGC’s Dr. Alhaji Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella and wife Philomena have just voted at Constituency 062 in Kychom, Samu chiefdom Kambia District.
NEC female worker at KDC School in Koidu Town caught in electoral malpractice. She was caught contaminating ballots.
NEC female worker at KDC School in Koidu Town caught in electoral malpractice……
Polling centre 02263 in Kenema all the paper dem pre-marked in favor of Maada
tune slbc
Voters in some wards in Bo, including Ward 267, Constituency 88, Islamic Call Society Primary School, Durba Ground in Bo city are complaing of a “Fake Ink’ NEC took to some of those areas leading to multiple voting.
We are calling on the appropriate authorities to look into that allegation without any further delay. Attached are photos of the Indelible Ink in some stations and the alleged fake ink.
BE VIGILANT !!!
PROTECT YOUR VOTES
Election items in the possession of an SLPP IT guy who claim he worked for NEC in 2012
NEC STAFF ARRESTED FOR ELECTORAL FRAUD
A National Elections Commission ( NEC ) staff has been caught with ink all over his fingers at White Pole. He is now in detention at Congo Cross police for further investigations.
Also, Two NEC staff , who are polling agents , have just been arrested by voters for failing to stamp ballot papers at Rokupa Old Road Cotton Tree. Both ar now in police custody. Plz voters be vigilant and report such activities to the police