UN top official in Sierra Leone and representatives of the international community tour the provinces to assess the level of preparedness for the loca

Suara Indonesia News - After demonstrating political maturity by holding one of the most credible elections in the region, which was widely acclaimed by the international community as free, fair and transparent, Sierra Leoneans are yet to be tested once again in the Local Government Election on 5 July 2008.The election is said to be crucial in strengthening democracy and consolidating peace in a country that has experienced a decade-long devastating war; and the International Community wants to know whether Sierra Leoneans will replicate the maturity demonstrated in last year’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
The United Nations and the International Community are also very much concerned about the outcome of the Local Council Election as they had poured substantial resources to bring stability to the West African nation.
The Deputy British High Commissioner in Sierra Leone, Rachel Kooper, addressed District Councilors and Traditional Chiefs.
Mindful that the peace is fragile and that any shock will plunge the country into conflict, the acting Executive Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (ERSG) Michael Schulenburg, led a high level delegation comprising representatives of the United States Embassy, the British, Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissions on a provincial tour to appraise the state of preparedness for the elections.
Mr. Schulenburg and his delegation visited Makeni in the north; Kono and Kenema in the east and Bo in the south; and held wide raging discussions with a broad spectrum of local and national actors in the forthcoming election including members of Local Councils; representatives of Political Parties; officials of the National Electoral Commission (NEC); Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC); Women Candidates; Youth Groups; Civil Society; the Police and the Army; as well as the District Code Monitoring Committees of the Political Parties Code of Conduct.
Mr. Schulenburg told his audience that Sierra Leone has earned a reputation within the international community by holding credible general elections, which were widely acclaimed; and advised that the people of Sierra Leone should replicate the maturity displayed in those elections to ensure that the up-coming Local Government election is peaceful and credible. He warned against violence and admonished leaders of political parties to put aside their differences and encourage their supporters to denounce violence as the country cannot afford to slide back to mayhem.
“If democracy is to be strengthened in the country, political party leaders must endeavour to support the institutions that are responsible for conducting elections in the country” he maintained. He called on political leaders in particular and Sierra Leoneans in general to embrace democracy as the only way the country can develop. “Donors will not pour their tax payers’ monies in a country that is undemocratic,” he cautioned.
Sierra Leoneans were reminded by the delegation that they should vote wisely by choosing candidates that share their views and aspirations, and who is capable of delivering the goods. “This is the only way your country will develop” they said.
The United Nations and the International Community are desirous to see Sierra Leone develop which will help greatly in ensuring stability in the country.
They urged political leaders especially the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) to create a level playing field for other candidates in the opposition to carryout their political activities unhindered.
“If democracy is to be cemented, the views of others must be heard,” they warned.
Although there have been reports of pre-election violence and intimidation in parts of the country especially in the diamondiferous towns of Kono and Tongo, the executives of the political parties assured the delegation that they would restrain their supporters from engaging in further violence and intimidation promising that the outcome of the elections would be peaceful.
The Sierra Leone Police have been busy quelling pre-election violence and tensions warning that perpetrators of such nefarious activities would be thoroughly dealt with in accordance with the law.
It was as a result of these frequent clashes between rival political parties that forced the Inspector General of police to hold dialogue with election stakeholders, political parties and their supporters and traditional authorities, impressing upon them the need for political tolerance for the peaceful outcome of the elections.
The government too has denounced the spate of violence warning those that are in the habit of perpetrating violence on others under the guise of political parties to desist or the law will fall down heavily on anyone caught.