Sierra Leone picks president in shifting political climate

Bai Koroma
Sierra Leone’s outgoing President Ernest Bai Koroma waves to supporters during a campaign rally for his party’s presidential candidate on March 3, 2018, in Kambia, ahead of the country’s general election. Sierra Leone goes to the polls on March 7 for a general election that will select a new president, parliament and local councils. PHOTO | ISSOUF SANOGO | AFP

FREETOWN:

Sierra Leone holds a general election on Wednesday to pick a new president in a climate of voter frustration with the two parties that have ruled since independence.

More than 3.1 million voters are registered for the polls, which open at 7am (0700 GMT) and close at 6pm (1800 GMT) across the small West African nation.

ECONOMY

The economy is in a dire state following the 2014-16 Ebola crisis and a commodity price slump that drove away foreign investors, and living conditions are among the poorest in the world.

“We are prepared; we are committed to conduct credible elections,” said Mohamed Conteh, chief commissioner of the National Election Commission (NEC), adding all electoral materials had now been distributed to polling stations.

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Source:  AFP | Daily Nation

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