Expats seek right to vote in Sierra Leone's polls

By Alpha Kamara

DAKAR, Senegal (AA) - Sierra Leoneans living abroad are petitioning officials to allow them to vote in next year’s general elections.

Five legal experts Thursday filed an injunction against the country’s elections commission, saying the action is being taken due to the commission’s failure to include Sierra Leoneans abroad in the process.

The injunction is meant to force the commission to extend the voter registration period to give citizens abroad time to go home and register and be able to vote.

In a statement, Abdul Kabba of the group Concerned Sierra Leoneans abroad said, “The injunction was necessary as the commission failed to respond to petitions requesting that reasonable time be given for all Sierra Leoneans abroad to be able to exercise their constitutional right.”

A court will hear the matter on April 18.

Sierra Leone’s next general elections will be held on March 7, 2018 when a new president and deputies will be elected.

During the country’s 1991-2002 civil war, over 2 million Sierra Leoneans fled the country to other countries.