Can we live with a 60%?

The elections have come and gone... but not far enough it seems. The SLPP have "not accepted the results" and are calling upon their elected party members to boycott Parliament and local Councils. Essentially staying away from their jobs... These guys (all men) are broke... they've spent every last Leone on the elections... and they need the money. In my mind, this boycott, called for by the National Executive of the SLPP will surely divide their ranks and further split the party. And, how many of those duly or unduly elected SLPP'ers will opt to join the APC (for want of favour or cash). Oh dear... the divide grows.

The SLPP Executive are calling upon the international community to step in and do an investigation... When will they learn. This election has been touted as an "all Sierra Leoneon election", and now they want some sort of validation or adjudication from the international community. Firstly, I have severe doubts that this was an "all Sierra Leonean do". No way! I'll come back to that in other blog posts. And secondly, haven't the FIVE international observer missions spoken loudly enough?

There will never be a "perfect" election, anywhere in the world. Here in Sierra Leone it's probably not possible to have an "adequate" election. On a percentage scale, all we're hoping for is a 60%. For me, I'm not satisfied with that and would want more... but for most Sierra Leoneans, big men, women, business people, journalists, etc. etc. they seem content with a "bare pass" to their elections. What a shame, I say. We should be demanding an election that is completely transparent, totally free and fair, etc. etc.

If we can't manage that... well... I don't know...