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By Josephine W. Lagowo
The Speaker of Parliament Dr. Abass Bundu has nullified the Public Election regulation 2022 for early voting for hajj pilgrimage because they did not get 2/3 majority which is 98 votes in parliament to support the regulation.
This, according to him means that those going for pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia to fulfill one of the fundamental pillars of Islam will not vote in the June 2023 elections.
This came after the Deputy Leader of Government Hon Bashiru Silikie moved a motion for the statutory instruments to be debated but after he consulted with his party together with other parties, he withdrew the motion.
Hon Musa Fofanah said this instrument is critical but not timely in line with the ECOWAS protocol.
Hon Abdul Kargbo said Sierra Leone has benefited from religious tolerance so they want their brothers and sisters going on pilgrimage to benefit from voting but people do not have confidence in ECSL, pointing out that even the voters identity cards which they produced for citizens to identify him/ herself is very difficult to serve it purpose because it is substandard.
“We don’t want to see Sierra Leoneans deprived of voting but we also do not was to see over voting, so because of credible elections, we are not in favor of the documents,” he stated.
Hon Dr. Kandeh Ymkella said for the issue of early voting they have to start with the diaspora voting.
Hon Abubakarr Fofanah in his contribution stated that the SLPP government wants to make laws which the people are not aware about.
The Acting Leader of Opposition said the statutory instrument talks about early voting while the Public Election act 2022 does not talk about early voting.
He noted that section 3 of the constitution spoke about regulation and noted that the SLPP should not use the Lord’s name in Vain. He added that document was not drafted in line with the law so they are not in favor of it.
