SONNA – At least 3.4 million Sierra Leoneans are expected to vote in a general election on Saturday.
Voters in Sierra Leone head to the polls on Saturday, with the main opposition party hoping the deep economic hardship being faced by the people will make them reject President Julius Maada Bio’s re-election bid.
The polling opened at 7 am and will close at 5 pm.
Besides voting for the President, voters will also vote for local councilors and members of parliament who will be elected in 16 multi-member constituencies.
This will be the fifth presidential election since the end of a 1991-2002 civil war where more than 50,000 were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Twelve men and one woman are in the running for the top job, in which incumbent President Julius Maada Bio is seeking a second and final term amid frustrations over economic hardship.
The APC has also expressed concerns about the transparency of the counting process and has cast doubt on the electoral commission’s ability to hold fair elections.
The commission has defended itself, saying measures have been put in place to ensure the credibility of the voting and counting process.
Results should be known within 48 hours of polls closing.
To be declared the winner of the presidential race, the leading candidate must secure 55% of the votes cast, otherwise a run-off will be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
Source: Agencies
