AYV News, August 21, 2026
Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has called on Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad to rally behind the country’s representative at the 75th Anniversary Miss World, Mariyam Lorba Konneh, by voting for her in the Miss World People’s Choice Award.
The First Lady is urging citizens to use their votes to help propel Miss Sierra Leone 2026 to the top of the People’s Choice rankings as she competes against contestants from across Africa and other regions of the world.
Mariyam Konneh has officially entered the People’s Choice Award – Round 1, with voting currently open through Eventista’s 1VOTE platform.
How to Vote:
Sierra Leoneans can vote by visiting the official voting platform and selecting Africa – Round 1, before locating Sierra Leone’s Mariyam Lorba Konneh and casting their vote.
Voters can also use the direct voting option provided by Mariyam’s campaign team.
Each individual is entitled to one free vote, while an additional free vote is available through the 1Zone App, which supporters are encouraged to download.
Supporters who wish to further strengthen Mariyam’s campaign can also purchase additional votes through the official voting platform.
For those unable to vote online, Mariyam Konneh’s campaign team has also provided verified mobile money channels through which supporters can send contributions, with the team undertaking the voting process on their behalf.
High Stakes for Sierra Leone:
The People’s Choice competition carries significant implications for the contestants. The winner from each of the four continental regions, Africa, the Americas & Caribbean, Europe, and Asia & Oceania, will secure direct entry into the Miss World Top finalists for the award.
The Round 1 voting period is scheduled to close at 10:00 p.m. on 4th September 2026 (UTC+7).
Importantly, votes accumulated during Round 1 will be carried forward into Round 2, making every vote cast at this stage potentially important to Mariyam’s continued progress in the competition.
The call for support has therefore extended beyond Sierra Leone’s borders, with Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora also encouraged to participate and help push the country’s representative higher in the rankings.
Who is Mariyam Konneh?
Mariyam Lorba Konneh is a former AYV Miss University Sierra Leone 2022 and the reigning Miss Sierra Leone 2026.
She is a final-year Banking and Finance student at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone. Beyond pageantry, she is a television presenter, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
She is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mariyam’s Ways Limited and the Mariyam’s Ways Foundation, through which she engages in initiatives aimed at supporting communities and empowering others.
With the People’s Choice voting window now open, supporters across Sierra Leone and around the world are being encouraged to unite behind Mariyam Konneh and use their votes to help advance Sierra Leone’s representation on the global Miss World stage.
Vote Mariyam Lorba Konneh. Vote for Sierra Leone.
