By Buba Gagigo
Omar Drammeh, a congress delegate and outspoken advocate for electoral transparency in the Upper River Region, has accused security forces of unlawfully arresting and physically assaulting him after he raised concerns about alleged fraud in the recent youth electoral process.
In a statement shared with Kerr Fatou, Drammeh said he was targeted after exposing what he described as the forgery of certificates submitted by some participants at the Regional Youth Congress (RYC), an event overseen by the National Youth Council (NYC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS).
“I, Omar Drammeh a concerned citizen and a congress delegate just concluded RYC congress, am releasing this statement to condemn and bring national and international attention to the unlawful arrest, physical abuse, and torture I endured at the hands of security forces after speaking out against election malpractice involving local registered youth groups,” Drammeh stated.
He explained that during the congress, he and other delegates identified serious irregularities, specifically related to alleged forged certificates submitted by 26 youth group representatives. Drammeh said his team presented credible evidence to the NYC and insisted that the congress should not proceed if the fraudulent certificates were allowed.
“Following our exposure of these irregularities backed by verifiable documentation we told NYC that the congress cannot proceed if the 26 flagged certificates are accepted to vote. During this push and pull the PIU Commander intervened and made a final decision that the congress shall be conducted whether we like it or not. I interjected his speech and told him that we are not listening. Immediately after speaking, i was subjected to an arrest without causing any crime. I was physically assaulted and tortured while I was taken out of the hall to the police custody,” he explained.
He further claimed that more than five PIU officers allegedly assaulted him, repeatedly striking him on the head with batons, dragging him on the ground, strangling him, and subjecting him to humiliating treatment by placing their hands inside his underwear.
“These actions represent a blatant violation of my human rights and an attack on democratic principles, including freedom of expression and the right to participate in transparent governance processes. Despite the gravity of the fraud, the final decision by the authorities allowed 14 of those individuals to proceed and vote, while 12 were disqualified,” he concluded.
Efforts to obtain comments from the police have been made. The Public Relations Officer has acknowledged the inquiry and promised to provide a response once he reviews the report. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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