Owing to the presidential announcement of another multi-tier elections in Sierra Leone, slated for 7 March, 2018. The President’s Special Adviser, Dr. Alhaji Bakarr Sahid Kanu had resigned from his position, followed by the Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Alimamy Philip Koroma, as well as another Presidential Special Adviser, Joseph Sam Sesay, among others had resigned and joined the APC’S flagbearership contest.
The country laws stated that public officials receiving salaries from the country’s consolidated revenue fund are bound to resign for him/her to be eligible to run for an election.
Section 76 (1)( b) respective stated “No person shall be qualified for election as a Member of Parliament- if he is a member of any Commission established under this Constitution, or a member of the Armed Forces of the Republic, or a public officer, or an employee of a Public Corporation established by an Act of Parliament, or has been such a member, officer or employee within twelve months prior to the date on which he seeks to be elected to Parliament;” Quoting sections from the 1991 constitution.
Section 171 subsection 4 dictated that” In this Constitution “the public service” does not include service in the office of President, Vice-President, Speaker, Minister, Deputy Minister, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Deputy Speaker, Member of Parliament, or of any member of any Commission established by this Constitution, or any member of any council, board, panel, committee or other similar body (whether incorporated or not) established by or under any law, or in the office of any Paramount Chief, Chiefdom Councillor or member of a Local Court”.
The aforementioned constitutional provision exonerated the candidacy of two flagbearership contender within the reigning All People’s Congress, APC. The current Vice President, Victor Bockarie Foh and the current Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Joseph Kamara were consecrated by the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone to carry out their respective duties alongside their political goals.
Apparently, there are several public officials within the reigning APC, that are currently occupying public offices and they are suitably receiving salaries from the consolidated fund, and they are striving to lead the APC as flagbearer in the forthcoming elections, well you have a day to decide your fate accordingly.
