BY JOSEPHINE W. LAGAWO
232NEWS, FREETOWN —
The Director of Media and Communications at Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone Raymond George has said that the date which the commission has slated for the village headmen elections is on October 28th 2023.
Mr. George stated that in the Public elections Act 2022 section 36 states that the commission should conduct six elections such as the Presidential parliamentary, council, paramount chief elections and that the only one remaining is the village headmen election which is specifically for people residing in the Western Rural in 121 villages.
He said that there are criteria which has been set up for citizens to contest in this elections-one must have resided in the village for more than five years, one must have paid all taxes and one must have reached the age of 30 years.
He pointed out that the nominations will start on October 4th and ends on October 7th 2023 from 7am to 4pm and that each the nominations fees is Four hundred thousand Leones (Le 400, 00) for which the commission will issue receipts to the candidates.
He warned that the money is not refundable after it has been paid, adding that commission is going to hold meeting and training for the candidates contesting in the 121 villages.
George further said that after the nominations, the list of candidates will be hanged at their respective centers were the nominations took place, for citizens who have objections to make against any of the candidates.
The Director of Media Communication said the village headmen election is non- partisan election they would be given symbol to candidates such as Shovel, hoe, house, Pick axe and others.
According to him, the commission has done sensitization in all the radio stations in the Western rural district about the Village headmen elections, noting that the commission will be working with Statistics Sierra Leone because they did the census.
He said that for people residing in Western Rural to take part in the voting process his/ her name must be in the registered list of the ECSL.
