The 2023 election is barely a month away but preparation for that started a long time ago. Like previous general elections, this is a multi-tier elections but there are major differences compared to the last three elections Sierra Leone has had.
For the first time since 2002, Sierra Leone will be using the Proportional Representation system. So how will this impact the election?
According to the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), four elections will be held on the same day. Every voter will have to vote for President, Councillor, Mayor/Chairpersons and Members of Parliament.
One ballot paper will be used for the Presidential election, another one will be used to vote for Mayor/Chairpersons, the third ballot paper will be used to vote for Councillors and the fourth ballot paper will be used to vote for Parliamentarians.
The Director of External Relations and Public Education at the ECSL, Albert Massaquio said: “We have four different elections. Every voter is going to have four different ballots. You vote for president separately, you vote for MP separately, you vote for Mayor/Chairperson separately and you vote for Councillor separately. The only difference between the 2018 elections and now is that for MPs and Councillors, we are using the PR system.”
Faces will only be used on the ballot paper for Presidential and Mayor/Chairperson elections. And only party and other symbols will be used for Councilors and MPs.
This Voter Education article is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.
CLAIM: An image posted by K TOWN BLOG purportedly shows the APC presidential candidate Samura Wilson Kamara and Mayoral candidate Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr staring at a dancing stripper.
VERDICT: MISLEADING! The original image was doctored.
Methodology:
Last week, a blog known as K TOWN BLOG posted an image of Samura Kamara, Yvonne Aki-Sawyyer, and other key All People’s Congress (APC) stakeholders staring at a stripper while smiling. The said photo was also shared widely on WhatsApp.
The caption of the photo stated: “Na this wan bi President?”…
The blog in question has a history of posting disinformation as can be seen in another instance where they also posted a picture of a red and white building on fire, claiming it was the APC office and it was on fire.
The page has a very small following, but it is also littered with hate speech and a lot of disinformation that could cause problems in the future.
To fact-check this, the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom team looked online for the original image and also tried to keenly observe inconsistencies in the picture.
A very close observation is that the Samnura Kamara image in question was photoshopped. A quick zoom-in on the picture shows an image where APC’s presidential and mayoral candidates were standing at a particular angle was cropped and placed in a photo where some men in a club were gazing at a strip dancer.
A zoom-in shot of the picture
A keen observation of this zoom-in shot shows the man with the red cap’s shirt does not match the bottom part of the image. And a close inspection of the angle of the presidential aspirant Samura Wilson Kamara’s gaze does not match the angle where the striper is bending.
The top of the Samura Kamara photo was taken and then merged with the bottom half of the stripper photo. Further observation also showed that the few people on the left were in no way connected to the Samura Kamara photo, they were the original onlookers of the stripper, while Samura and others were looking forward, instead of downwards.
Conclusion: The image is misleading. Samura Kamara and Yvonne Aki-Swayerr were not looking at a stripper as the picture was purporting.
This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.
Claim: Former Vice President, Victor Foh claimed that Sierra Leone’s education is currently number one in the world.
Verdict: False, there is no evidence to back his claim.
Methodology
In a recent event held by the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in Sierra Leone, former Vice President, Victor Foh, claimed that Sierra Leone’s educational system is currently rated number one in the world. The claim, which was broadcasted by Sierra Network TV, has now garnered over 1,500 views on Facebook.
In the video, Foh said (between 0:46 – 0:54 seconds of the video) that: “We were joking with our own education, but now we are first in the world, in the educational system.”
To fact-check Victor Foh’s comment the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom team watched through credible data sources. According to World Education Ranking, a site that aggregates data from leading UN agencies on education, Sierra Leone has improved on some indicators but Sierra Leone is still far away from being at the top. Sierra Leone is ranked 146.
The ranking considers the average years of education among the adult population and the expected years of schooling for students under 25 years old.
2022 data from the Right to Education Index also showed some good progress for Sierra Leone on education, on several indicators. However, this data did not in any way prove Foh’s claim that Sierra Leone’s education is now number one.
Conclusion: Claim by Victor Foh that Sierra Leone’s education is number one in the world is FALSE.
NOTE:
This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in partnership with the Independent Radio Network (IRN), the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and the Inter-Religious Council Sierra Leone (IRCSL) in its capacity as lead implementing partner has officially launched the project titled ‘Expanding the Democratic Space in Sierra Leone – Media Capacity Enhancement to Promote Peaceful Elections, Women’s Participation, Public Interest and Conflict Mitigation’ in Sierra Leone’s June 24th, 2023 elections.
The project, which is funded by Irish Aid (Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone), aims to provide an enabling environment for media operations and foster informed and inclusive citizens’ participation in peaceful elections processes nationwide. The official launch event took place on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023, at the Civil Service Training College on Tower Hill in Freetown.
During the launch, Ransford Wright, the National Coordinator of the Independent Radio Network, emphasized the significance of enhancing professionalism among journalists within the framework of the project. Wright highlighted that IRN’s activities would focus on objective and impartial reporting, stating that, the media plays an important role in information dissemination.
“Radio still remains the most effective means of getting information. At least 60 to 70% of the population access radio,” Wright said.
He expressed his appreciation to Irish Aid for their support, recognising radio’s crucial role in delivering vital information to remote villages.
Wright also emphasised the potential dangers of misinformation, stating, that misinformation can cause fear and violence.
“In response, IRN plans to utilise its innovative simulcast approach by connecting 50 radio stations across the country. On election day, IRN will provide 24 hours of continuous broadcast, deploying 550 reporters to deliver real-time updates on the electoral process. Additionally, IRN intends to establish three desks for national results and analysis and integrating programming through social media platforms to disseminate credible information,” Wright said.
Khalil Kallon, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the project. Kallon highlighted the IMC’s commitment to reviewing regulations and developing a comprehensive document dedicated solely to election coverage.
The IMC, he said, plans to deploy rapid response teams across the country to monitor media institutions and promptly address any breaches, with a focus on enhancing professional media conduct.
“We seek to enhance professional media conduct; we do not seek to control the media,” he maintained.
Reverend Dr. Usman Jessie Fornah, the General Secretary of the Inter-Religious Council, expressed gratitude to Irish Aid for the opportunity to contribute to a violence-free election. He highlighted the council’s role as the “moral guarantors of the state” and their expertise in social mobilisation and peace mediation.
Fornah announced that the Council would conduct training programs for religious leaders in violence-prone areas, equipping them with conflict management and conflict-sensitive reporting skills. The Council also aims to engage local communities in violent prevention initiatives, empowering them to address conflicts promptly without relying solely on central authorities.
Fornah underscored the Council’s commitment to monitoring and intervening in conflict situations during the electoral process.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, the President of SLAJ, outlined the Association’s role in advocating for freedom of expression, improving working conditions for journalists, and enhancing their capacity.
“We shall provide training on gender-sensitive reporting in 8 districts, targeting at least 40 journalists per district,” Nasralla said.
He emphasised the specific focus on empowering women journalists and the establishment of the SLAJ gender advisory panel, which will address gender-related issues within the association. Nasralla also mentioned leveraging social media to promote media regulations and the production of voter education and peace message flyers.
Ambassador Claire Buckley
In her keynote address, Ambassador Claire Buckley reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to enhancing media capacity and promoting peaceful elections in Sierra Leone. She acknowledged the crucial role of media and faith-based institutions in addressing tensions caused by hate speech and misinformation. Ambassador Buckley emphasised the importance of a free and independent media that holds duty bearers accountable and fosters meaningful debates. The project aims to ensure effective coverage, transparency, and integrity in the electoral process while promoting policy-based discussions.
“We believe that this project will contribute to focusing the elections discourse on policies rather than personality, substance rather than regional and tribal rhetoric. We hope it will support effective coverage and overall transparency as well as the integrity of the electoral process, including promoting the plurality of views across political divides. Most important of all, we believe that it will promote media engagement in the elections in an independent, impartial and professional manner,” Buckley said.
The project launch signifies a significant step towards strengthening the media landscape in Sierra Leone and fostering a peaceful and inclusive electoral process with the collaboration of various stakeholders and the support of Irish Aid.
Claim: Two members of the All People’s Congress Party (APC), former Sports Minister Paul Kamara and former Sierra Leone Deputy Ambassador to the US Hon Alimamy Coleson Turay have filed an application in court questioning the legality of Dr. Samura Kamara’s candidacy as flagbearer and Presidential candidate of the main opposition.
Verdict: TRUE.
Paul Kamara and Hon Alimamy Coleson Turay have filed an application for constructions, interpretation and determination to Sections 35 (4) and 76 (1) D of the national constitution 1991, Act No. 6 of 1991.
Full Text: Court documents, which have gone viral on social media platforms such as Twitter, WhatsApp, and Facebook, indicate that Paul Kamara and Alimamy Coleson Turay, both members of the APC, have raised concerns about Dr. Samura Kamara’s eligibility to contest the June 24, 2023, Presidential Election.
The documents reveal their intention to seek a determination from the court regarding the legality of the Transitional Interim Independent Election Management (TIIEM) conducting the APC National Delegates Convention in Makeni from February 17 to 19, 2023, where Dr. Samura Kamara was elected as the party’s presidential candidate.
Additionally, they question whether the findings of the Commission of Inquiry and the pending criminal case related to the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the renovation of the Sierra Leone UN Mission Chancery in New York, USA, in which Dr. Kamara is one of the accused, should have been considered by the Elections Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) during the nomination of Dr. Samura Kamara as the APC’s presidential candidate.
The application seeks constructions, interpretation, and determination of Sections 35 (4) and 76 (1) D of the national constitution 1991, Act No. 6 of 1991.
Many people have shared this claim prompting a need for a fact-check.
Methodology: Given the viral nature of the claim across various social media platforms, SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom decided to contact Paul Kamara, the first applicant. He confirmed in a telephone conversation that, “Yes, it is me Paul Kamara, I have taken the matter to the Supreme Court for determination.”
The ECSL, the body charged with the responsibility to conduct elections and register candidates for the elections, is the second respondent while its Chairman and Chief Electoral Commissioner is the first respondent.
The researcher on 19th May 2023 spoke to Albert Massaquoi, Director of External Relations at ECSL. He confirmed that indeed his institution (ECSL) has received letters from the supreme court informing them of a matter to which they are a party. The letter, he says, confirms the claim above. “What I can say is the commission has received a letter from the Supreme Court about the matter,”Massaquoi says.
Conclusion: The claim that Paul Kamara and Hon Alimamy Coleson Turay have filed an application in court questioning the legality of Dr. Samura Kamara’s Candidacy as flagbearer of the APC is true.
Copy of Originating Notice of Motion circulating on Social Media.
NOTE:
This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.
Claim: Exclusive Newspaper, last week published a story claiming that:
Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) invited 1500 ECOMOG soldiers and US Marines to deploy for Sierra Leone’s June 24 elections.
Verdict: The claim is FALSE.
Methodology
On the 12th of May, 2023, Exclusive Newspaper published a story in their daily edition claiming that US Marines and ECOMOG among others have been invited by ECSL to observe the elections.
There are at least three claims in this story:
i) 1500 ECOMOG will deploy,
ii) US Marines will deploy, and
iii) ECSL invited both ECOMOG and US Marines among others to deploy.
The first paragraph of the story claimed that ECSL invited international organizations to observe the elections. The second paragraph continued by stating that:
“Some of the invitees are one thousand five hundred (1500) soldiers from the ECOWAS Monitoring group – ECOMOG, seventy-eight (78) European Union observers, some US Marines and thirty (30) observers from the Carter Center in the United States of America.”
Online news site Sierraloaded also published a similar story and apart from the headline (‘ECOMOG to monitor 2023 elections in Sierra Leone’) being false, the content was also completely disconnected from the title.
To verify this claim, SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact-checkers contacted the United States Embassy in Freetown. According to the Embassy, US Marines will not be deployed to Sierra Leone for the general elections.
“While the U.S. Embassy is excited to participate as ECSL accredited international observers for the upcoming general elections, these observers will be selected among our own embassy staff. The U.S. is not deploying marines to observe Sierra Leone’s elections,”Paul Stucky, Ag. Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Freetown said.
ECOWAS was also contacted on whether ECOMOG will be deploying to Sierra Leone for the elections. ECOWAS Communications Director, Amos Lungu said he had no knowledge on whether the Commission will be deploying its “standby force”, which was once referred to as ECOMOG.
However, to further inquire about the veracity of the claim about foreign troops deployment, the team also contacted the Office of National Security (ONS), which is the umbrella body for the security sector in Sierra Leone.
The Director of Strategic Communications and Spokesman of ONS, Abdul Karim Will said there are no plans for foreign troops deployment in the country.
“So far, we are not aware of any foreign troops deployment in Sierra Leone, neither ECOMOG nor US Marine. There are no plans for foreign military troops deployment,” the ONS Spokesman said. Karim said since 2007, Sierra Leone’s security sector had taken charge of securing public elections.
To verify the claim about ECSL’s invitation of US Marines and ECOMOG, the team contacted the Director of External Relations at ECSL, Albert Massaquoi, who said they did not send any invitation to US Marines or ECOMOG to deploy for the June 24 elections.
Conclusion:
US Marines will not be deployed to Sierra Leone.
There’s no proof to show that “1500 ECOMOG” will deploy to Sierra Leone.
ECSL did not invite US Marines or ECOMOG to observe the elections.
NOTE:
This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.
