Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) party, has strongly defended the party's endorsement of Mr. Mohamed Kenawui Konneh as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of Sierra Leone (ECSL). Dr. Yumkella highlights the constitutional prerequisites for the appointment of the chief electoral commissioner, as stated in Section 76(b) of Sierra Leone's constitution.
Dr. Yumkella asserts that a thorough examination of this section confirms Mr. Konneh's compliance with the requirements and his full eligibility to assume the role of chief electoral commissioner.
"Section 76(b) of our constitution explicitly outlines the criteria for appointing a chief electoral commissioner," stated Dr. Yumkella. "After a careful review of this section, the NGC is confident that Mr. Mohamed Kenawui Konneh possesses the necessary qualifications and is capable of serving as chief electoral commissioner," he affirmed.
The NGC's expression of support for Mr. Konneh comes in response to the allegations made by the APC regarding lack of transparency and collusion between the ECSL and the incumbent government to manipulate the forthcoming elections.
The APC has called for the immediate resignation of Mr. Konneh and all electoral commissioners, demanding that they be replaced by an independent, internationally accredited team of electoral commissioners.