Sierra Leone President Secures Second Term with Landmark Re-election Victory

Sierra Leone President and SLPP Leader, Julius Maada Bio, addresses supporters at the final campaign rally in Freetown ahead of the June 24, 2023, general election. Despite the economic crisis and protests, President Bio seeks a second term. The country, still grappling with the aftermath of civil war, Ebola, and COVID-19, faces additional challenges from the Ukraine conflict. [Photo: JOHN WESSELS/AFP]

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, re-elected for a second term with 56.17% of the vote, announces the electoral commission head. Opposition disputes the process.

According to the final results declared by commission chief Mohamed Kenewui Konneh in Freetown, main challenger Samura Kamara secured 41.16% of the vote.

The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) had already contested the vote tally, criticizing the electoral commission for lack of transparency and inclusiveness.

The party raised concerns about the absence of information regarding the origins of the ballots from polling stations or districts.

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Rejecting the results as “fake and cooked up,” the APC alleged instances of “overvoting” in certain areas and remained steadfast in their claim of victory.

During a press conference, European Union observers expressed mistrust in the electoral process, citing the electoral authority’s lack of transparency and communication. The observers also reported instances of violence at several polling stations during voting and counting stages.