Ahead of the June 2023 Elections, ActionAid Sierra Leone Global Platform conducts a three-day training of 140 young people on civic education and participation of youth in electoral processes. The event which took place in early May at the Bo district council hall, Falaba brought together various stakeholders including all political party youth associations, female aspirants, CSOs, District Security Committee (DISEC) and other youth groups.
With the theme “Promoting young people’s voices in Electioneering”, the event was marked by presentations on youth and violence in politics, the theory of peace, the link between peace and development, rights and responsibilities of a citizen, maintaining peace and stability for young people in Elections.
The South-Eastern Regional Manager of ActionAid Sierra Leone, Desmond Kanneh declared that “This training will capacitate young people to be inclusive, to be responsible and also occupy their rightful place when it comes to electioneering and non-violent conduct.”
The young people triggered questions on who or what really spearhead violence during Elections and what can be done to curtail the influence of those sects on the ‘violence portrayed by youths during elections.’ Lucy Koroma, a participant assert that it was difficult for her to distinguish among the Electoral management bodies and their roles in the electioneering process. “I am now aware that PPRC is responsible to register political parties and voters for elections.”
Voter Education and Training Officer, ECSL Bo District, Anthony Senesie conveyed that “we are making progress and getting to the point we want to be; bringing together informed youths on how they should participate in the civic space.”
“It is pleasing to see young people from various political parties gathered together to participate in this well-timed engagement and ActionAid has created this platform to interact with young people and admonish them on how to live as responsible members of society.” Said the District Security Coordinator-ONS, Amara Kamara.
He added that the peace and stability of the country lies on the hands of young people and they should not allow themselves to be used by politicians as perpetrators of violence.