‘I have no interest in Sierra Leone election’- Mahama dismisses rigging claims

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed allegations that he was involved in a plot to rig the just ended Sierra Leone election in favour of Julius Maada Bio, one of the two candidates in the run-off. “International Observers have no capacity to change the will of the people, in any election. I, John Dramani Mahama, have no interest in who governs the people of Sierra Leone,” he stated. He added: “The long nights, early mornings, long meetings, diplomatic shuttles were all aimed at helping Sierra Leone choose their leader freely, maintain the peace and consolidate their democracy”. John Mahama was Chair of the Commonwealth Observer mission for the election in Sierra Leone. He had earlier resolved a conflict between the supporters of the main opposition party, the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) led by Mr Julius Maada Bio and the police during the first round of elections on March 7. During the first round of the election held March 8, Mr Bio, a former military coup leader, got 43.3% of the votes vying against the ruling party’s candidate Samura Kamara. An absolute majority is required to be elected a President. Results of the April 2 run-off is expected to be released on Thursday April 5 by the country’s National Electoral Commission (NEC). Ahead of the release of the results, rumours surfaced Tuesday implicating Ghana’s former president Mahama and British High Commissioner, Guy Warrington in Sierra Leone in a conspiracy to rig the election. Sierra Leone state broadcaster SLBC quoted deputy Information Minister, Cornelius Deveaux to have said “there is an international conspiracy to steal our victory. It is led by British High Commissioner Guy Warrington, implemented by former Ghanaian President Mahama whose brother is funding Julius Bio” They claim Mr. Mahama cut short his stay in the Sierra Leone due to the alleged vote rigging conspiracy. But the former Ghanaian President explained “I was leaving because by my agreement with The Commonwealth my mandate as Head of Mission had ended. The Commonwealth technical team were also due to leave Freetown on April 03, 2018 but a cancellation of their Air France flight is keeping them there till Wednesday April 04, 2018”. “I have absolutely no interest in who becomes President of Sierra Leone at the end of these elections. I just believe that a credible election would consolidate not only Sierra Leone’s democracy but also its peace, bearing in mind it’s past gruesome civil war”, he emphasized. By P.D Wedam|3news.com|Ghana]]>