By Ndey Sowe
A high-powered delegation from the Political Parties Regulation Commission of Sierra Leone, and the Inter Party Committee of The Gambia had a productive dialogue with The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abdoulie Sanyang.
The Sierra Leonean delegation was led by Mr Abdoulie M. Bangura while the Gambian delegation coprised Former Co-Chairs Halifa Sallah and Amul Nyassi and Current Co-Chair Samba Baldeh of the Inter-party Committee of The Gambia. The Gambia High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Alieu Jammeh, was also present at the meeting on 7th February, 2023 at The Police Headquarters in Banjul.
The delegation is on a Study Tour to learn lessons from “The Gambia Case Study” for a peaceful, free, and fair election in the parliamentary and presidential elections.
IGP Abdoulie Sanyang emphasized the vital role of the police and shared the success story of the GPF’s strategies for a fair election.
The Operations Unit of the Gambia Police Force (GPF), also made a presentation to the delegation on the plans and operational strategies instituted during the elections.
Mr Abdoulie M. Bangura, expressed appreciation for the collaboration and efforts of the IGP, GPF, and other stakeholders in The Gambia towards promoting peaceful elections in Sierra Leone.
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on the 24th November, 2022 passed into law the Bill entitled: “The Political Parties Regulation Commission Act, 2022.” However, some amendments came into existence on the 24th of November, 2022 after the Bill was passed into law.
It was a Bill seeking to provide for the continuation of the Political Parties Registration Commission as the Political Parties Regulation Commission, to provide for the regulation, including the registration of political parties by Sections 34 and 35 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, and to provide for other related matters. The Bill was piloted by the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Umaro Napoleon Koroma. The Bill had been debated and went through the various legislative stages with some amendments before final enactment into law.