By Amin Kef (Ranger)
During the opening session of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sierra Leone Bar Association which was held at Fabulous Resort in York Village, the two major political parties – SLPP and APC on the 17th March,2023 together with the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone, the Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the National Security Coordinator ONS, PPRC, Bar Association and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists signed the York Declaration on Free, Fair and Non-violent multi-tier elections slated for June 24, 2023.
The York Declaration, which has been an initiative of the Sierra Leone Bar Association to promote free, fair and non-violent elections on 24th June, was the first major declaration to be signed by key stakeholders ahead of the June 24th elections this year.
The Declaration contains as follows: “Whereas the Sierra Leone Bar Association convenes its 2023 AGM at the Fabulous Resort, York Village, in the Western Area Rural District of the Republic of Sierra Leone from 17 – 18 March 2023 on the theme: “Promoting Free, Fair and Non-Violent Multi-tier Elections on 24th June 2023”,
“Reaffirming that the authority to govern shall be based on the will of the people as expressed in periodic elections,
“Acknowledging the fundamental principles relating to free and fair elections including the right of citizens to freely choose their leaders and representatives, to vote in such elections by secret ballot and to put forward political views individually or in association with others,
“Recognizing that the holding of free, fair and non-violent multi-tier elections reaffirms Sierra Leone’s commitment to deepening democracy and peace consolidation,
“We hereby declare as follows: To promote and support free, fair and non-violent multi-tier elections on the 24th June, 2023”.
Expressing a view on the significance of the York Declaration, the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Michaela E Swallow (Ms) stated that the signing of the York Declaration demonstrates the commitment of stakeholders in promoting free, fair and non-violent elections.
“It is our hope that such a declaration will serve as a constant reminder of our collective determination to promote free, fair and non-violent elections,” Michaela Swallow stated.
