PPRC Defends Decision Not to Fine SLPP Over Bio’s Bonthe Statement
By Kelvin Jay
The Political Parties Regulation Commission has explained its decision not to sanction President Julius Maada Bio over remarks he allegedly made during a political engagement in Bonthe.
Speaking during an interview aired on Radio Democracy, Director of Training and External Relations at the Commission, Lucien Momoh, stated that the Commission did not fine the Sierra Leone People’s Party because the comments attributed to the President did not reach the threshold required for sanctions.
The President was quoted as allegedly stating that anyone who votes for the All People’s Congress in Bonthe “will die early in the morning,” a statement that generated public discussion and political reactions.
According to Momoh, the Commission carefully reviewed and deliberated on the matter before reaching its decision.
He explained that the term “threshold” refers to the level of interpretation and public understanding attached to the statement, noting that the remarks were not widely interpreted in a manner that justified punitive measures.
Momoh further stated that the Commission concluded the comments did not meet the required standard to constitute an offence deserving of a fine or other sanctions against the ruling party.
He added that the interpretation and overall public reaction to the statement were considered insufficient to warrant disciplinary action by the Commission.
