Freetown, Sierra Leone – (African Boulevard News) – President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has called for a peaceful vote ahead of the country’s polls this Saturday. The president, who is seeking re-election, made the call during his final rally held on Freetown’s Lumley Beach on Tuesday, June 20.
The election features presidential, legislative, and local races, with 16 presidential candidates contesting the election. The stakes are high in the West African nation of nearly 8 million people as the country seeks to consolidate its democratic gains and set aside the remnants of a brutal civil war that ended in 2002.
The country has a history of electoral violence, and the president has appealed for calm, stating that violence should not be an option. He called on his fellow candidates to join him in the call for a peaceful process, adding that the country’s interests should remain paramount.
“I urge all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of political affiliation, to remain peaceful during the entire voting process. We are all members of one family, and it’s in our best interest to work together,” President Bio said.
Globally, Sierra Leone has received praise for its effort in holding fair and free elections. The African Union and other international observers have sent monitors to oversee the poll’s conduct and ensure a transparent process.
The country has made significant progress since the end of the civil war, boasting of a promising economy, the world’s largest deposit of high-quality diamonds, and a vibrant youth population. As the country prepares for the polls, all eyes are on Sierra Leone and its ability to hold a peaceful and transparent election.
The call for peaceful voting has been received positively, with opposition parties calling on their supporters to shun violence and embrace peaceful conduct. The country has enjoyed relative stability, and all stakeholders hope that this peace will continue.
“We call on our supporters to be peaceful throughout the entire process. We believe that the interests of the country are paramount, and we should all work towards that end,” an opposition spokesperson said.
In conclusion, the world is watching Sierra Leone as it prepares to hold its presidential, legislative, and local races this Saturday. The call for peaceful voting by President Bio and the opposition parties is a step in the right direction towards consolidating the country’s democratic gains. As Sierra Leoneans prepare to cast their ballots, we hope for a peaceful, transparent, and fair election.
