Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has called upon all citizens to prioritize peace and uphold public order laws in the country.
In a national address on Monday, President Bio emphasized the importance of maintaining peace throughout the announcement of election results and beyond.
He urged citizens to refrain from inciting violence or engaging in any form of aggression, highlighting the need to avoid provocations and retaliatory actions for the collective well-being of all.
President Bio, who is running for re-election, currently holds a lead with over a million votes in the provincial results announced by the electoral commission. The final results are expected to be disclosed within 48 hours from Monday afternoon.
In response to concerns about potential post-election violence, numerous schools, offices, and shops remained closed in Freetown on Monday.
The president appealed to the police and security forces to exercise restraint while enforcing the law, emphasizing that every citizen’s constitutional rights are of equal importance and should be respected under all circumstances.
To secure victory in the first round, a presidential candidate must obtain at least 55% of the valid votes cast. Otherwise, a runoff will take place between the top two candidates two weeks after the final results are announced. This scenario occurred in 2018 when Mr. Bio faced off against his opponent, Samura Kamara, in a runoff election.
