By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

As Bike Riders Union members are preparing to hold their election, CSOs are calling for transparent process in the polls ahead.

On Friday 19th April, 2024 a Civil Society consortium on community accountability and service delivery in Sierra Leone has calls for credible, transparent and non-interference into the “Bike Riders Union” national elections on Saturday 4th May, 2024 in Freetown.

Speaking during the session, the Global Coordinator of the Consortium, Moses Mambu highlighted the critical roles and responsibilities of the bike riders union has played over the years, noting that the payment of bike registrations fees at the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority SLRSA over five billion Leone is a big boost in the growth of the economy.

Civil society has been widely recognized as an essential ‘third’ sector in any democratic society.

Its strength can have a positive influence on the state and the market. Civil society organizations are therefore seen as an increasingly important agent for promoting good governance like transparency, effectiveness, openness, responsiveness and accountability.

Civil society can further good governance, first, by policy analysis and advocacy; second, by regulation and monitoring of state performance and the action and behavior of public officials; third, by building social capital and enabling citizens to identify and articulate their values, beliefs, civic norms and democratic practices; fourth, by mobilizing particular constituencies, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized sections of masses, to participate more fully in politics and public affairs; and fifth, by development work to improve the wellbeing of their own and other communities.

CSOs in Sierra Leone have been taking leadership role in the fight against the dreadful Ebola and COVID 19 disease.

They have also been undertaking other important development programs and activities which have contributed hugely towards national and economic development of the country and over the years have embarked on a number of positive engagements.

The Chairman of CSOs Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery, William B. M. Soa-Lamin articulated that they will uphold the spirit of non-political interference regarding the upcoming bike rider’s delegate’s elections in the country.

“We will stand tall in a bid to protract the legit voters and registered bike riders. This is time to name and shame statesmen that may want to attempt to rig the elections. “We need credible, transparent polls this time around; the voice of the people must be reflected.

“Our next approach is to inform the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone ECSL regarding our input towards the upcoming balloting process,” he said.

In an interview with some bike riders in the municipality of Freetown, they alleged that the central government wanted to impose some candidates that are unpopular illegally and unconstitutionally.

They further revealed to this medium that those government politicians especially the Sierra Leone People’s party (SLPP) supporters and followers are using the opportunity to rig Bike Riders Union electoral process.

However, any are asking if the National Election Watch (NEW) is also part of the Civil Society Consortium on community accountability regarding the mentoring of the Bike Rider’s national election in the country. Because, they believe, NEW is a credible and professional body, which has earned a household name in terms of election management locally in the eyes of elections’ observers globally.