SIERRA LEONE: Sierra Leoneans listen to radios in hope of finding out results in first elections since U.N. peacekeepers left two years ago

Sierra Leoneans desperate for change listened to radios on Sunday (August 12) in the hope of finding out the results in the first elections since U.N. peacekeepers left two years ago following a 1991-2002 civil war in the diamond-rich nation. People voted in huge numbers on Saturday (August 11). In jungle clearings and city slums, voters queued for hours to cast their ballots for a new president and 112 parliamentarians. Despite fears of violence, voting was generally peaceful with only minor scuffles after polling stations closed. "Well, the whole election process was really transparent because we did not see any problem, no violence, so I think it was really transparent," said Christian Foday, a student at Freetown University. In the war-shattered coastal capital Freetown on Sunday, people on the darkened streets clasped radios to their ears, awaiting results. "I see that the election went on free and fair and that is showing that the world is practicing democracy, everybody went to the polls, now we are waiting and listening keenly to the radio to know the winner of the elections," said trader Abdurrahman Bangura. Five years after the end of the diamond-fuelled war, which killed 50,000 people, Sierra Leone remains the second least developed nation on earth. Most people earn less than a dollar a day and lack basic amenities in the former British colony. In the presidential race, Ernest Bai Koroma of the opposition All People's Congress (APC) is expected to mount a strong challenge to Vice President Solomon Berewa, 69, candidate for the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). Early returns showed the APC ahead in its stronghold, Freetown. "I am really satisfied , but to what I know, I believe that they have not called the final result, and the APC I heard from the radio that they have 44 percent and the SLPP have 38 percent and the PMDC have 13 percent so the process is still going on," said Sheku Usman Sesay, a student who'd been listening to the radio all morning. President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, re-elected on a wave of post-war euphoria in 2002, is stepping down as required by the constitution amid anger at corruption which many voters believe has drained off substantial foreign aid. Some 2.6 million people were registered to vote -- roughly half the population -- and many arrived at dawn to oversee the work of electoral staff due to concerns over fraud. Observers said voting appeared peaceful, well-organised and orderly, but they emphasised the real test of the process was whether political leaders would accept the results. Aside from its record on corruption, the SLPP faces a threat from the breakaway PMDC party led by Charles Margai, which is draining support in its southern fiefdoms, such as Bo. If no presidential candidate wins more than 55 percent, a runoff will be held, probably in early September. The election commission will announce results as they come in but expects a meaningful trend to take several days to emerge.

ITN Source | August 13, 2007

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