By Ramatoulie Jawo
The United Democratic Party (UDP) campaign team in the Lower River Region lodged a complaint against the Governor of the Lower River Region (LRR), Seedy Lamin Bah, at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)’s regional office in Mansakonko.
“The above-mentioned political party campaign team hereby brings to your notice concerns regarding the actions of the Governor of the Lower River Region throughout our nomination period. On the very faithful day of nomination for the United Democratic Party, our candidate was coming from his hometown Jattaba with his convoy to Mansakonko to submit his nomination papers to IEC, the Governor of Mansakonko, Hon. Seedy Lamin Bah, deliberately entered into and interrupted our convoy at Kiang Kaiaf. That is seen to be undesirable and a recipe for conflict, since it is avoidable,” they said.
The campaign team also decries the actions of the Governor post submission of their candidates’ credentials to the IEC, when they alleged the governor interrupted their convoy and nearly caused an accident but for the quick action of the driver of one of their rented commercial vehicles.
“Similarly, after their candidate submitted his nomination papers to IEC, this time in Mansakonko the same Governor, Hon. Seedy Lamin Bah entered and interrupted their convoy and left one of their “Gelehgeleh” drivers with no option but to cross the road in order to avoid colliding with his vehicle.”
The campaign team condemns the actions of the Governor and warns that his interruptions of their convoys could lead to a breach in peaceful co-existence between them and the Governor during the campaign period.
“These actions are considered to be interference and breach of the campaign code of conduct by Governor Seedy Lamin Bah, and it can break the peaceful co-existence between him and our campaign team as well as the entire election process. My team hereby strongly condemn his actions and advise him to desist from such during this period of campaign in order to maintain peaceful election process in the region as clearly stated under section 92 (1) of the Elections Act),” the statement added.
They went on to narrate a similar intrusion in the movement of their campaign on their way back from nominations when a supporter of the newly elected NPP councillor drove into their convoy.
“Whilst our candidate was on his way back home to Jattaba, his convoy was again confronted by one Salifu Seya, a driver to the newly elected Councilor of Kiang Banta Ward, Hon. Momodou Sowe. Salifu drove into our convoy and caused traffic congestion while he was wearing an NPP T-shirt, his action nearly attracted tensions between him and our supporters.
“Relating to these intolerable behaviors by Governor Seedy Lamin Bah and Salifu Sey we would like to advise all and sundry to desist from such unacceptable actions. We believe that all stakeholders, particularly a Regional Governor, should carry out their campaign within the confines of high ethical and moral standards and respect other political parties and candidates and electorates in general.” they added.
They further advise the governor to co-operate fully with the IEC elections code of conduct in order to guarantee and maintain the integrity of the elections process and to ensure that safety and security are maintained throughout the elections period.