Hold the presses...

Yeah, I've always wanted to run into a newsroom or print shop and yell that... Guess this electronic vehicle will have to suffice.

No, the elections weren't halted... the re-elected President Koroma was immediately sworn in following the announcement of the election results. And, many people in Freetown went slightly mad - running onto the streets, jubilating, dancing, singing, banging pot lids, honking horns, etc.

Yes, that all happened... and today (Saturday) the streets were quiet in the morning... but by 1:00 PM people were out and about... wearing their red t-shirts, scarves, hats, pants, wristbands, capes, glasses, etc. It was remarkably "red" today in Freetown. Thousands of APC supporters took to the streets... not for a rally, per se, but to show off their victory by strolling around in party colours.

I drove around town on my little motorbike and was inundated by impromptu parades of supporters... people strolling, young folks singing... and dancing. Mega-speakers and "music sets" were set up along the roads and the red gyrating was dizzying.

Amidst the hoop-la, the SLPP held a brief press conference. To be honest, I expected Julius Maada Bio to graciously concede to the incumbent Koroma and the APC. But, many people were surprised when the SLPP announced that they found the elections NOT free, fair nor transparent... and found many instances of election malpractice. Bio stopped short of saying he wouldn't accept the results... yet. But, he did say he wasn't happy... and a final decision/direction would be decided by the SLPP executive on Tuesday.

Officially, anyone in the country can launch a lawsuit with the High Court for up to seven days following the election. And it looks like the SLPP might be plotting that route. Essentially, Bio and the SLPP have two options, in my opinion. They could graciously accept the outcome of these elections, which many international observers have deemed "credible". OR, he could denounce the elections as not credible... and launch a legal challenge. He did not call to congratulate the incumbent. No one from SLPP made any official statement till this press conference.

Of course there's always the risk (slight as it is) of "taking to the streets", which means violence. The "big boys" within the SLPP including it's Chair, John Benjamin, have made it pretty clear prior to and just after the elections... If they deem the elections not credible they are willing to take all corrective measures. I don't know what that really means... but violence could be part of that picture. To be honest, I doubt very much if that's a realistic option for the SLPP... given the history of this country... and the fact that NO ONE wants any violence. They say that but judging from some of the heated discussions prior to and after the elections, I'm just not sure.

In any case, this thing may not be over yet. We'll have to wait till at least Tuesday to hear back from the SLPP... and till then, the re-elected President is having a ball. This evening, he and a very large entourage toured the city... They drove through Congo Cross area around 5:00 PM heading west and are due back through this area later tonight. Some smart commentators here have labeled this the "victory lap", which in many ways is appropriately put.

The re-elected President tours the city... and the leadership of the SLPP plots their next step. It ain't over yet, it seems.
S/