By Hasbin Shaw in Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) has ordered the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) party to remove all banners or posters from public places that carry the slogan; “Krios for APC”
The commission demanded the APC to ensure that their members put down banners or posters with the inscription ‘Krios for APC’, saying that it was clear in the political parties Act of 2002 that political parties should not be aligned to any particular tribe in Sierra Leone, and such banners and posters are not in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone, The PPRC said.
The political party regulators said, “Pursuant to its mandate as provided in the constitution of Sierra Leone Act No.3 of 2002, the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) is calling on the All People’s Congress (APC) party to advice some of its members to refrain from aligning a particular tribe/ethnic group to their party.”
The commission also called on the leaderships of all registered political parties to ensure that they respect the campaign calendar as published by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
“Furthermore, political parties should desist from holding meetings on dates that has been allocated to another political party as it is a recipe for chaos or political disputes,” the PPRC noted, “the Commission therefore calls on the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to remain vigilant and bring to book anyone caught violating the campaign calendar.”
While individual members of the Krio communities of the country may support political parties of their choice, there is no consensus by the Krios to support any one political party.
“No sycophantic politician of Krio origin was given the mandate to speak on behalf of all krios. And the recognized voice for the Krios are Madam Cassandra Garber and Professor Eldred Jones,” Mrs. Sylvia E Jolliminah Blyden told Groove 106FM, in support of the press statement published by the President of the Krio Descendant Union (KDU) –Mrs. Cassandra Garber.
“It is understandable that the nearer ‘D-day’ of March 7 draws, so the excitement of nationals will soar to fever level. This is however, no justification or excuse for any person to unilaterally…make a statement to commit the voting right of others.”
“Persons belonging to the Krio ethnic group take serious object to a recent media shot which declared- “Krios For APC”. With as many as 16 political parties contesting the prominent position of head of state, as well as the membership of the House of Parliament, including two parties with Krio presidential Flag-bearers, such actions show “disregard of natural right of their compatriots”, “insincerity of purpose” and “ignorance of the tenets of democracy,” the Union said.
