27 Aug 2019 | 04:09 PM UTC
Sierra Leone: Election day violence in Western Area August 24 /update 1
Election results canceled following violence at polls in Western Area August 24; further unrest possible over the coming weeks
Event
Officials announced on Tuesday, August 27, that the results of a by-election in Constituency 110, located southeast of Freetown in Western Area, were canceled following violence at some polling stations on Saturday, August 24. Some individuals reportedly vandalized and destroyed ballot boxes and voting materials at the Angola Town polling center near Hamilton. Three main parties, the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), the All People's Congress (APC), and the National Grand Coalition (NGC), were vying for a parliamentary seat in the election. Authorities have not yet identified the group responsible for the attack, and the date for the election rerun has not been announced as of Tuesday.
Further attacks and political protests are possible in the coming days and weeks.
Advice
Individuals in Western Area are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all large, public gatherings and polling stations as a precaution, refrain from discussing political subjects in public or on social media, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
