News / Press Statement - Election Results

Press Statement -19 Sept 2007 You would recall that before the August 11, 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections, there were attacks on the headquarters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). The attacks were intensified few days before the presidential run-off elections. Hundreds of APC youths attempted to attack SLPP members and the Unity Building, SLPP headquarters. These youths were repeatedly repelled by determined SLPP youths. The Results of Presidential Run-Off Election The final result of the Presidential Run-off was as follows: Ernest Bai Koroma (APC) 950,407 and Solomon E. Berewa 789,651 (SLPP) representing a difference of 160,756. Results from 477 polling stations were invalidated on the grounds that voter turnout exceeded 100%. 426 of these (estimated at 89% of the invalidated stations) were in the strongholds of the SLPP (Kailahun 90, Kenema 65, Kono 9, Bo 123, Bonthe 2, Moyamba 24, Pujehun 113) and 51 were in the strongholds of the APC (Bombali 17, Kambia 8, Koinadugu 12, Port Loko 2, Tonkolili 6, Western Rural 1 and Western Urban 6). For the 426. stations, the SLPP Tally Centre figures indicate that the SLPP had votes exceeding over 95% in each of the stations. Invalidation therefore disenfranchised nearly 250,000 of SLPP people. The process of invalidation was dubious. The SLPP cannot establish how correct that was. To establish that indeed there was "over voting" (voter turnout exceeding 100%) and for the sake of transparency, the Parties should have been informed and recounting undertaken in the presence of both the APC and SLPP agents. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Rather, recounting was, hurriedly done for polling stations with voter turnout at 100%. There were no significant changes in the results in the few cases where recounting was done. In an unprecedented manner, all the remaining figures were inputted throughout the night of Sunday 16, 2007. A press briefing was also convened at an unusual time, 10 a.m on Monday. Hon. Ernest Bai Koroma was declared the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and was sworn in later in the evening on the same day. The SLPP presidential candidate Hon. Solomon Berewa conceded defeat. Most Party members are dissatisfied with the results and think their happiness was stolen. They also firmly believe that certain members of the international community connived with NEC to execute regime change agenda. In the interest of peace and development, the Party accepts the results and recognizes H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma as president of the Republic of Sierra Leone. We call on all party members to remain calm and be more determined for the next Local Council elections. The Party office remains open and party activities will continue as usual. Looting of SLPP Office by APC youths On Monday 17 September, 2007, few hours after the announcement of the final results of the presidential elections and the declaration of H. E. Ernest Bai Koroma as president, hundreds of APC youths moved towards the SLPP National Secretariat from different directions. I received several calls when the APC youths started to mobilize around our office. From my hiding place, I alerted the police and there was a deployment of military police and Sierra Leone Police to the building. Unfortunately, there were more APC youths than the police and the SLPP youths combined. Under the eyes of the police, these APC youths pelted stones on the Unity Building and destroyed the window glass, forced their way into the premise and comprehensively looted all items including computers and accessories, photocopiers, sewing machines, motorbikes, bicycles, chairs, tables and personal items belonging to the Secretariat Staff and other SLPP members. Ceilings and electrical fittings including wall sockets and toilet fittings were all removed. Perhaps more important is the vandalisation of administrative and financial documents. The Unity Press and the Unity Radio were all destroyed. Preliminary estimates put the damages to over Le 2,000,000 (two billion leones). At about 10 a.m on Tuesday September 18 2007, H. E. Ernest Bai Koroma invited me to his office at State House. He instructed the Hon. Vice President Sam Sumana and the Inspector General of Police, Brima Acha Kamara to go with me to the office and assess the damage. Together, we went and visited all parts of the building including the canteen, the Unity Press, Unity Radio, the emergency clinic, offices of the organizing secretary, publicity secretary, women’s leader, young generation leader, trustees, administration and finance, offices of the Party Leader and Deputy Leader, Chairman, the National Secretary-General and ‘ two store rooms. They saw it all. Hon. Vice President Sam Sumana apologized on behalf of the APC and promised that all will be done to ensure that the matter is fully investigated. The Inspector General of Police, Brima Acha Kamara also promised to do all he can to investigate the matter. He also informed me that, already arrests have been made and two Senior Police Officers have been given the responsibility to carry on the investigation. A Press Release from the Police also confirms that the investigation is in progress. To date, we have not been informed of the outcome of the investigation, I do, however, wish this will be fast tracked and those arrested charged to court. Intimidation, Harassment and Victimisation of SLPP members Since Monday 17 September, 2007, hundreds of our supporters have been intimidated, harassed and victimized. We have received reports from some of these members and supporters. The residence of Sidique Brima, outgoing Minister of Local Government and Community Development was looted by armed youths. A vehicle owned by Ambasssador Joe Blell, outgoing Minister of Defence was looted. Houses of Dr Saccoh (outgoing Ambassador to Guinea) and Alex Kargbo (outgoing Resident Minister, Northern Province) have been destroyed in Kalangba, Bombali district. Pampana hotel owned by Okere Adams was vandalized yesterday and vehicles owned by guests, the hotel and the SLPP were destroyed by youths in Magburaka. Members of the Tana Group’ (fullahs, Mandingoes, susus, maracas) in Bo and Kono who supported the SLPP are being persistently molested, harassed and forced out of their houses. I have also received reports from several parts of Freetown including Portee, Peacock Farm, Gbendembu, Constituency 104 and 105 of threats, intimidation and harassment of our people. In addition, Nigerian business men have also come under attack as the APC perceived them to be sympathizers of the SLPP. Issued by Jacob Jusu Saffa National Secretary-General Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP)