All political party youths (APPYA) suggests power sharing based on votes cast Sierra Leonean youths in politics remain one of the most vociferous segments of society. All the 10 political parties have youth wings even if most of them continue to occupy the lower ladder of the political hierarchy. A situation they have always wanted to overturn. When the Government of Sierra Leone initiated the process of reviewing the country’s Constitution, youths representing various political parties saw it as an opportunity to overhaul their long standing marginalization in the political arena. Little wonder when the State Policy and Human Rights sub-committee of the CRC engaged them in consultations, they were thrilled to make their views known. During the meeting with the State policy Subcommittee on October 22, 2014, the youths highlighted burning issues that were critical to their growth and development politically, socially, economically and culturally. The 10% representations for youths in Parliament was perhaps the most desirable suggestion of Sierra Leone’s young politicians. Such is the desperation of the future leaders that they are demanding for a reduction in the age requirements to contest the presidency from 40 to 30 or better still 35 years. Other issues that featured prominently during the deliberations were the allocation of symbols and the residency requirement. APPYA requested the CRC to inaugurate laws that would forbid political parties from awarding symbols to Sierra Leonean politicians who reside overseas. Resident politicians must be protected. The meeting discussed the cruelty associated with the laws relating to the forced resignation of aspirants in the civil or public service. “Resigning a year prior to elections is a human right abuse because the individual becomes unemployed no sooner they lose the elections,” noted a representative of the Peoples’ Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC). Leave of absence must be granted to aspirants intending to contest elections so that when they fail to capture political power, they could return to their jobs peaceably. Unlike other issues, there was an overwhelming criticism or widespread condemnation of the idea of the ruling party providing subvention for opposition parties through the consolidated fund. Some believed with a conviction based on experience that providing incentives for opposition political parties would necessitate the proliferation of parties with a singular motive of benefitting from the public funds. APPYA like many other institutions thought that the Chairmanship of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) must not be limited to people who had served in the judiciary alone arguing that other knowledgeable individuals must be accorded the enviable opportunity of serving in such a sensitive position. Also discussed were issuers relating to the welfare of prisoners on remand, the provision of pipe-borne water and the duration of the term of office of the presidency, which they agreed should be reviewed from 5 to 7 years each. The high point of the engagement saw the recommendation of a power sharing scheme by outstanding political parties. The winning party can provide 70 % of the ministerial positions, first runner up 20 % and third runner up should be awarded the remaining 10 %.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:16:12 +0000
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