A Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), part of the “Standing together for Democracy Consortium” has just concluded a civic education training for civil society organizations (CSO), over the weekend. More voter’s education is needed prior to the 2018 elections.
At this UKaid funded training, a mock election was conducted in order to ascertain whether the CSO leaders in attendance fully understood the electoral process. Eventually, 47 participants were divided into four groups, forming four mock political parties. After the voting, 7 votes were considered null and void because they failed to adhere to the basic voting rules in selecting their candidates. Furthermore, voting pattern shows that people votes more on party lines than issue based. National Electoral Commission (NEC) Voter Education and Training Officer, Antoinette Conteh, explained that the reasons for the void votes is because they failed to adhere to simple instructions. “We told you that you should tick, circle, mark x, use your thumbprint or put a dot on the candidate you are voting for. However, some people went ahead and signed the ballot paper.” She explained that signing ballot papers would automatically void your vote. Antoinette also advised that circling the candidate of your choice should only be done once. “If you repeat the circle over and over again it would be regarded as a signature and your vote would be nullified,” she explained.
CGG Programme Officer, Amasara Jalloh, explained that the need to vote on issues of national interest rather on personal one. “The decision we made as voters is what we are living with today good or bad.”
He advised them to vote for representatives that would transform their districts and eventually their lives. Adding that choosing the wrong person to represent the district would subsequently lead to little or no development.
“If you don’t have good roads or your kids do not have access to good education – you are the ones who are going to feel the brunt. That is way you need to make a decision that would develop your district, Koinadugu.”
First time voter, Kadiatu Bangura, representing a youth association expressed her delight about the civic education training. “I’ve learnt a lot,” she said. “Most of what is said at the civic education training is new to me because I’ve never done this before.” The training played a great role it has broaden my understanding about issues surrounding elections.
“I learnt that you should vote because its right and you should vote not out of sentiment but based on issues that would transform your community for the better.”
By Ophaniel Gooding
Wednesday September 20, 2017.
