1,259 Invalid Votes in Just Six Bye Elections.

By John Gborkor Kamara

The number of invalid votes is a big concern for the Electoral commission and the entire membership of the various communities were these electioneering process took place. Or may i say the entire country as a whole? Voter education is very important for the 2023 election.

The 1,259 invalid votes in just 6 Bye elections alone is enough to change the dynamics of this country. Imagine just 6 bye elections. What will happen with our presidential, parliamentary and council election come June 2023??? How many invalid votes we would have if the necessary bodies responsible for voter education or to educate the electorate are not involve??? Bodies like the electoral commission, political parties, the media and the entire membership of this country failed to go the extra on voter education in 2023.

This is the time now one should begin to think especially on how to close these gaps. Constituency 056 has 40,000 and 71 voters registered as of 2017 voters registration done for the 2018 election in 3 wards. Ward 186 has 17, 000 and 78 registered voters with 8 centres and 22 polling stations comprising of Kalanthuba chiefdom with more than 40 villages and upper section of Dansogoa chiefdom with 8 villages. Here the Limbas are in predominant.

Ward 187 has 15,000 and 508 registered voters with 7 centres and 24 polling stations starting from Nikikoro to... And ward 188 with it headquarters at Bendugu town Sambaia chieefdom has a population of 16,000 and 185 registered voters all of 2017 voters registration done for the 2018 Presidential and parliamentary election. The later 2 wards combine together are predominantly Kurankos.

My question now is, how many came out to vote this bye election??? Who and who is responsible for the poor voter turn out??? Who is responsible for the poor voter education that sum up with 1,259 invalid votes including constituency 056??? What will be the way forward to salvage this situation in the near future.???