Voting count continued Thursday in Sierra Leone with the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) party and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) presidential candidates taking an early lead. The results from the Wednesday landmark vote, as widely predicted, indicated a tight race between APC’s Dr Samura Kamara and Brig (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio of SLPP. The provisional results were released by the Independent Radio Network (IRN), while the National Electoral Commission (NEC) was yet to give any official tally. A total of 16 candidates are vying for the presidency.
The 3.7 million registered voters were also choosing members of parliament and local council officials.
Wednesday’s voting, despite starting on a peaceful note, was later dominated by reports of violence and confrontation between police and supporters of the opposition, which has accused the police and government of intimidation.
Police had to deal with riots pitching rival supporters of APC and SLPP at a polling centre in west end of Freetown where at least one person was hospitalised for stab injury.
Full Article: Sierra Leone: Nation Awaits Outcome of Landmark Poll – allAfrica.com.