The Western Area Rural District Council has condemned what it refers to as illegal campaigns by village heads in the Western Area Rural District.
In a public notice dated 25 August, 2023, the district council says its “attention has been drawn to illegal campaign activities by certain individuals in the communities of Western Area Rural District for the position of Village Heads (Headman/Headwoman).”
“These illegal campaign activities have created confusion, misunderstanding and unwarranted misinterpretations leading to breakdown of law and order in the communities concerned,” the notices furthers, adding: “Council categorically and unequivocally condemns such unlawful campaign activities that have the potential to create unrest and disturbances leading to mayhem and violence and creating panic in communities.”
Noting that the district council “takes the greatest exception to such anomalies,” the Council notes it “would like to take this opportunity to state that campaign activities for the position of village heads have not been declared by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) and the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
“As such, Council takes this opportunity to warn individuals who are doing these acts to stop forthwith or face the consequences of the law. In the meantime, the existing village heads should continue to perform their functions until such a time that the MLGCA and the ECSL will communicate their tenure.”
Meanwhile, the district council hasn’t told the public the law on which it stands to institute such condemnation and warning. Critics argue it doesn’t have the locus standi as per law requirement to interfere with the conduct of village head election.
Recently, in a press briefing at the Youyi Building in Freetown, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) announces that it’s engaging the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) on outstanding issues related to the village head and paramount chieftaincy elections.
Village heads in the Western Area Rural District were supposed to have had their election on the 11 February, 2023, but the date was deferred.
A press release issued by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone on the 1 February, 2023, states: “The ECSL, in consultation with the Ministry of Local Government has postponed the conduct of village head election to 21 October, 2023. The published election timeline indicates that voter registration card distribution is scheduled to take place from 17 – 26th March, 2023. Card distribution exercise should precede the village head election as voters for this election need to have their voter cards as a means of identification.”
