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| Sierra Leone election: Tense poll amid fears of violence | Sierra Leone election: Tense poll amid fears of violence |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Voters on Saturday are faced with a choice between the same two leading presidential candidates as in 2018 | |
| Sierra Leoneans are voting in a general election following a tense campaign marred by violence. | Sierra Leoneans are voting in a general election following a tense campaign marred by violence. |
| On Wednesday, the main opposition party alleged that one of its supporters was shot dead by police, which the police have denied. | On Wednesday, the main opposition party alleged that one of its supporters was shot dead by police, which the police have denied. |
| Supporters of both main parties have been accused of attacking opponents. | Supporters of both main parties have been accused of attacking opponents. |
| This election is taking place against the background of a troubled economy, the rising cost of living, as well as concerns about national unity. | This election is taking place against the background of a troubled economy, the rising cost of living, as well as concerns about national unity. |
| The voters are choosing a president, MPs and councillors in the West African country's fifth election since the civil war ended in 2002. | The voters are choosing a president, MPs and councillors in the West African country's fifth election since the civil war ended in 2002. |
| The 11-year conflict cost an estimated 50,000 lives, but since then the country has a tradition of largely peaceful, free and credible elections, according to Marcella Samba Sesay, chairperson of the NGO National Elections Watch. | The 11-year conflict cost an estimated 50,000 lives, but since then the country has a tradition of largely peaceful, free and credible elections, according to Marcella Samba Sesay, chairperson of the NGO National Elections Watch. |
| With strong party loyalty among the 3.3 million registered voters, the campaigns have focused on shoring up their parties' bases rather than articulating and debating policy issues. | With strong party loyalty among the 3.3 million registered voters, the campaigns have focused on shoring up their parties' bases rather than articulating and debating policy issues. |
| Who are the candidates? | Who are the candidates? |
| President Julius Maada Bio, 59, of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) is running for a second five-year term. His main rival among the 12 challengers is Dr Samura Kamara, 72, of the All People's Congress (APC). | President Julius Maada Bio, 59, of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) is running for a second five-year term. His main rival among the 12 challengers is Dr Samura Kamara, 72, of the All People's Congress (APC). |
| This is a repeat of the race in 2018, which saw Mr Bio narrowly win following a second round run-off. | This is a repeat of the race in 2018, which saw Mr Bio narrowly win following a second round run-off. |
| LISTEN: Africa Daily podcast on Sierra Leone's elections | LISTEN: Africa Daily podcast on Sierra Leone's elections |
| BASIC GUIDE: Find out more about Sierra Leone | BASIC GUIDE: Find out more about Sierra Leone |
| How much violence has there been? | How much violence has there been? |
| There has been an uptick in violence compared to five years ago, according to the West Africa Network for Peace-building Sierra Leone. It has counted 109 violent incidents since April. | There has been an uptick in violence compared to five years ago, according to the West Africa Network for Peace-building Sierra Leone. It has counted 109 violent incidents since April. |
| This week, the APC said one person was killed by security forces as its supporters gathered for a protest at its headquarters in Freetown on Wednesday. | This week, the APC said one person was killed by security forces as its supporters gathered for a protest at its headquarters in Freetown on Wednesday. |
| The police alleged the shots were fired from the direction of the APC building. | The police alleged the shots were fired from the direction of the APC building. |
| Dr Kamara has also said that his motorcade came under attack and there were reports that the APC office was set ablaze in the city of Bo last weekend. | Dr Kamara has also said that his motorcade came under attack and there were reports that the APC office was set ablaze in the city of Bo last weekend. |
| The SLPP has said that it too has faced attacks in opposition strongholds. | The SLPP has said that it too has faced attacks in opposition strongholds. |
| What you need to know about the elections | What you need to know about the elections |
| What you need to know about the elections | What you need to know about the elections |
| President Bio has called for "peaceful elections" and "no violence". The African Union has also expressed concerns over reported incidents of violence and intimidation in parts of the country. | President Bio has called for "peaceful elections" and "no violence". The African Union has also expressed concerns over reported incidents of violence and intimidation in parts of the country. |
| Sierra Leoneans have been alarmed by campaigners' rhetoric, the Reuters news agency reports. | Sierra Leoneans have been alarmed by campaigners' rhetoric, the Reuters news agency reports. |
| "All I want is peace. I am scared by the high level of hatred I see being exhibited on social media by political extremists on both sides," a student from Freetown who wanted to remain anonymous told Reuters. | "All I want is peace. I am scared by the high level of hatred I see being exhibited on social media by political extremists on both sides," a student from Freetown who wanted to remain anonymous told Reuters. |
| What about women? | What about women? |
| This election comes months after a landmark law which says women must make up 30% of all positions in both the public and private sector - including in parliament. | This election comes months after a landmark law which says women must make up 30% of all positions in both the public and private sector - including in parliament. |
| But analysis from Sierra Leone's Institute for Government Reform (IGR) suggest the next parliament will fall short of this. | But analysis from Sierra Leone's Institute for Government Reform (IGR) suggest the next parliament will fall short of this. |
| Parties have put forward lists of candidates running in each of the country's districts to be elected on a proportional representation basis. But according to the IGR, not enough women are placed high enough on those lists to make sure the 30% threshold is crossed. | Parties have put forward lists of candidates running in each of the country's districts to be elected on a proportional representation basis. But according to the IGR, not enough women are placed high enough on those lists to make sure the 30% threshold is crossed. |
| Out of the 13 candidates running for president only one is a woman - the little-known Iye Kakay. | Out of the 13 candidates running for president only one is a woman - the little-known Iye Kakay. |
| How does the election work? | How does the election work? |
| The APC has also expressed concerns about the transparency of the counting process and has cast doubt on the electoral commission's ability to hold fair elections. | The APC has also expressed concerns about the transparency of the counting process and has cast doubt on the electoral commission's ability to hold fair elections. |
| The commission has defended itself, saying measures have been put in place to ensure the credibility of the voting and counting process. | The commission has defended itself, saying measures have been put in place to ensure the credibility of the voting and counting process. |
| Results should be known within 48 hours of polls closing. | Results should be known within 48 hours of polls closing. |
| To be declared the winner of the presidential race, the leading candidate must secure 55% of the votes cast, otherwise a run-off will be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. | To be declared the winner of the presidential race, the leading candidate must secure 55% of the votes cast, otherwise a run-off will be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Sierra Leone | Sierra Leone |