Civil Society calls for Compulsory Voter Registration
The National Youth Coalition in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Civil Rights Coalition consider voter apathy as the most formidable threat to the country’s fledgling democracy and civic responsibility, which over the years has tilted the political landscape and given the interested minority the power to reign over the majority. In a news conference organized by both organizations on Tuesday 10th January 2012 at the Harry Yansanneh Memorial Hall, they pointed out that the phenomenon of political apathy is common even in developed democracies in the West. “In order to stop political indifference from usurping the future of freedom, many countries have put in place legislation to ensure the voters register and vote during elections,” they stated in a press release, citing an example to Australia where absenting from voting has legal implications; and in the United Kingdom, not being in the voter’s register will immediately limit an individual access to services and entitlement.
In Sierra Leone, they stated, failing to register as a voter will exempts one from major political appointments throughout the life of the Government.
The two Coalitions stated that political participation in the form of registration for voting and voting is in the life blood of democracy. (...)
