By Foday Moriba Conteh
On Tuesday 28th July 2020 The Presidential nominee for the position of the Chairman and Chief Electoral Commissioner of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, was approved by Members of Parliament, after the exchange of arguments and counter-arguments by the country’s two major and oldest political parties, the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition of the All People’s Congress (APC) bordering on eligibility criteria and constitutional provisions.
Prior to the Parliamentary voting, the main Opposition Leader in Parliament, Hon. Chernor Bah in his objection referred to the minutes of a report regarding deliberation and resolution citing constitutional provisions which he thought are inimical to the appointment of the NEC Boss.
The APC also vehemently argued that President Bio nominated Mohamed Konneh without consulting them as enshrined in the country’s constitution. Another objection they raised was that he is not qualified to hold the position because he had not resigned his public office job one year before his appointment.
The APC objected on the grounds that Mohamed Konneh, as Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIB) was a public officer thereby making him ineligible to be appointed as Chairman of NEC.
They furthered Konneh was an employee of a corporation at the time of his appointment making his disqualified to be appointed.
However, at the end of the day out of the Members of Parliament present, 78 voted for Mohamed Konneh and 51 voted against the nominee which constitutionally confirmed and gives him the authority to serve as the nation’s Chief Electoral Commissioner and Returning Officer.
The ruling SLPP and the two other opposition parties in Parliament, NGC and C4C disagreed with the APC position and supported his appointment.
The position of APC before the parliamentary endorsement was that they will recourse to institute legal action against Konneh’s appointment and endorsement. For now it is a wait and see situation.
Mohamed Konneh, as the country’s new Chief Electoral Commissioner has already subscribed to oath of office at State House.
