In an exclusive interview with Superintendent Sesay, at his office yesterday, he mentioned that his department is currently investigating over 270 electoral offences and electoral related offences. He noted that as at 23rd March, 2018 they had received a total of 269 election offences. He added that this number kept increasing on daily basis.
Superintendent Sesay explained that election related offences cover issues which include among other things violence, assault, throwing of missiles, damage to properties and many other offences. He added that election offences on the other hand include the destruction of banners, double registration and voting and over-voting. He added that crimes relating to the conduct of the election include irregularities by NEC officials which include breaching the normal procedures, damaging of ballot papers and many others.
These offences he maintained involved both permanent and temporary NEC staff. He stated that several arrests have been made, adding that they currently have 9 cases that have to do with NEC officials. Superintendent Sesay further said that because the NEC is working towards conducting the runoff election, all prosecutions will come after the elections.
He maintained that the Sierra Leone Police hierarchy has been interfacing with the National Electoral Commission to ensure that such offences are avoided during the run-off election scheduled for the 31st March.
In another development, Superintendent Sesay informed this press that they currently have one Alfred Thompson helping in an investigation concerning a jogging exercise organized on Sunday 25th March during the final campaign day of the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party.
Alfred Thompson, he said, is helping with investigations owing to the fact that he was the ring leader of the ‘Runoff Bubu Jogging’ which attracted over five hundred people around the Congo Cross vicinity.
These so called joggers, according to Supt. Sesay were however putting on the party colour of the All People’s Congress.