FREETOWN – Calm is returning to Freetown, the capital of the West African State of Sierra Leone. The opposition All People Congress (APC) is demanding certain things be done by the Election Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).
As a Liberian Journalist covering the elections in Freetown, Lyndon Ponnie reports, APC called for the demonstrations over what it says are “unresolved issues” it has raised regarding “discrepancies in the electoral process”.
Security guards who took positions around the central city around the Convent and Brooksfield areas stopped the opposition zealous who were attempting to march to the offices of the ECSL. This prompted a clash with protesters supporting the candidature of Samura Kamara who’s the main opposition figure. Kamara is challenging incumbent Julius Mazda Bio.
This situation disrupted normal activities in Freetown yesterday, with shops and all commercial activities in the city shut. The main PZ and Krio Town Road shopping districts were mostly affected.
However, calm is gradually returning to the city, as shops and other commercial facilities are reopening.
The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) had called for “peaceful” nationwide protests ahead of general elections on Saturday.
The Independent Commission for Peace in the country has condemned the violence, while Prrsidentb Bio insists the elections will go ahead on Saturday no matter what.
The Main opposition leader Samura Kanara has complained about threats, harassment, and intimidation of his members Nationwide.
However, in a nation address yesterday, President Bio said: “There will be no postponement, no cancelation” of the June 24 polls. He assured the country of maximum security.
