#EgyptElections2018: POLITICAL FIGURES DENOUNCE ELECTIONS, CALL FOR BOYCOTT

A number of political leaders in Egypt have expressed doubts over the legitimacy of the country’s March 26-28 Presidential elections and called for a boycott of the polls.

A statement signed by political heavyweights Abdel Moniem Aboul Fotoh, the head of Egypt’s Reform and Development Party Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat, and other Presidential hopefuls who have pulled out of the race, condemned the ruling government’s repressive practices and called for the cancellation of the elections and dissolution of the board of the National Elections Authority.

The statement further called on voters to boycott the polls.

Source: Egypt Independence

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#Salone2018: DEATH, INJURIES REPORTED AT RALLY

At least one person was reported dead and several others injured at a rally of the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) in the capital Freetown, on Friday.

The opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the Grand National Coalition (GNC) have since condemned the reported incidents of violence.

Few weeks to the country’s March 7 General Elections, there are fears such violent incidents could mar the credibility of the polls.

Source: The Sierra Leone Telegraph

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#SierraLeoneElections: 16 CLEARED TO CONTEST PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

16 Presidential aspirants have successfully filed their nominations with the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to contest in the March 7 Presidential elections.

The candidates represented 16 different political parties including the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), the Grand National Coalition (GNC) and the ruling All People’s Congress (APC).
There are six female candidates in the race – two Presidential aspirants and four others who are running mates to male candidates.

The candidates have only been provisionally cleared to contest as the window remains open for objections to their candidacies to be raised at the country’s Supreme Court.
Nomination of Parliamentary candidates has also ended.


Source: Concord Times

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#SierraLeone: Bio appoints Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh as his presidential running mate

After weeks of debate and speculation about Maada Bio’s delay in announcing his choice of presidential running mate, he has today laid the matter to rest. He has appointed Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. This is the statement issued today by the SLPP, announcing Maada Bio’s presidential running mate:

“Pursuant to the provisions in Section 54(2) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991) and Clause 6(d) of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) 1995 (as amended) and in consonance with the Resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the SLPP passed on the 2nd January 2018 in which the NEC unanimously resolved to devolve its powers of consultation on me as the Flag Bearer and Presidential Candidate of the SLPP to appoint my Running Mate and consequently my Vice-Presidential Candidate, I hereby designate Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh (Photo) as the Candidate of the SLPP for the office of Vice-President of the Republic of Sierra Leone for the purposes of the Presidential Election scheduled to be held on the 7th March 2018.

“Dr. Jalloh is a citizen of the State of Sierra Leone. He is 47 years of age and registered with the Party in 2002 and is currently a Distinguished Grand Chief Patron.

“Until this appointment, Dr. Jalloh was an International Civil Servant having worked variously for the United Nations as a Senior Advisor in the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Republic of Mali (MINUSMA) and before that as the Sahel Advisor to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel.

“He also worked as the West African Analyst for the International Crisis Group (ICG) and with the Campaign for Good Governance in Sierra Leone to support Civil Society groups in reinforcing democracy in the country from 2004 to 2006.

“Thus, Dr. Jalloh brings with him a wealth of experience and proven track record spanning over 15 years in both national and international service. He is a graduate of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where he obtained a B.A degree; an M.Sc in Political Science from the University of Ibadan and a Ph.D. from the University of Bordeaux in France.

“Dr. Jalloh is a devout Muslim born in the Kono district of parents who hailed from Port Loko district: a Temne mother from Kalangba, Lokomasama Chiefdom, and a Fula father from Kafu Bullom Chiefdom. Dr. Jalloh is married to Fatou Banel Jalloh.”

Source: The Sierra Leone Telegraph