SIERRA LEONE, Freetown: Mohamed K. Konneh, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman, has declared the date for the conduct of Parliamentary bye elections in Constituency 005, Kailahun District and Constituency 073, Port Loko District as Saturday, 26th March 2022.
According to the National Returning Officer he has received letters dated 11th January, 2022 from the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, informing him about the vacancies which occurred as a result of the deaths of the late Honourable Aloysious Bockarie Ansumana and late Honourable Ahmed Samba Turay, of Constituency 005 on Friday 7th January 2022 and Monday 10th January 2022, respectively.
Nomination of candidates for the said Parliamentary Bye Elections the Commission said will be held on Sunday 16th to Monday 17th February 2022 at the Electoral Commission District Offices, Mbelebu Section, Kailahun District and 75 Lungi Road, Mayiba, Port Loko District, separately.
In accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 13 of 2012, the candidates’ nomination fee for the said bye elections is Le10 million per Candidate that is payable to the District Returning Officers at the above mentioned addresses.
Qualifications and disqualifications for Member of Parliament the Commission said are found in Section 75 and 76 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991) and any other relevant legislation.
The Commission stated that, deadline for Political Parties to submit the list of their Endorsed Candidates is Tuesday 15th February, 2022 as per Sections 61 and 62 of the Public Elections Act, 2012 (Act No. 4 of 2012).
Chairman Konneh stressed that the Commission will conduct the bye elections in accordance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines that are approved by NACOVERC for the conduct of electoral activities nationwide.
The elections will be strongly contested by the SLPP to maintain their seat in Kailahun which is considered their stronghold, the APC will equally strongly contest the Port Loko election to maintain their hold on the seat. The election will be held almost a year to the next General Elections. ZIJ/25/1/2022
