By Alhaji Haruna Sani
On Monday May 1st, the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Dr. Samura Kamara together with his running mate, Hon. Chernor Maju Bah,officially went through the nomination process at the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) Headquarters on Tower Hill in Freetown and subsequently approved to contest the June 24 elections.
Yesterday, May 2nd, was the turn of the incumbent, President Julius Maada Bio and his running mate, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh,who also went through the nomination process and approved.
The ECSL Commissioner, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh said May 1st has marked the start of the nomination process for parties as part of preparations for the June polls. Konneh also praised the APC party for adhering to protocols of the process and pleaded with them to continue along the same path.
Commissioner Konneh also commended President Bio and his Government for his relentless support to the commission. President Bio in turn commended EC-SL for presiding over several elections, most of which were seriously contended.
During the process, both President Bio and his running mate and Dr. Samura Kamara and his running mate were asked for their voter ID Cards, while the ECSL confirmed their applications were submitted online and also confirmed that the two political parties have endorsed Dr. Samura and his running mate.
The ECSL approved the SLPP and APC Presidential Candidates’ presentation after going through their documents and ID cards.
Also in attendance for the APC were the Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya and Chairman, Minkailu Mansaray.
Dr. Kamara will contest against the incumbent SLPP Julius Maada Bio who defeated him five years ago. Political analysts say the election will be closely contested despite both of them claiming to win the elections in first polls.
