Sierra Leone: Presidential Candidates’ Debate October 30

Eight organisations, led by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), have reached agreement with the two main presidential candidates for the first head-to-head Presidential Debate in the history of Sierra Leone, according to a SLAJ press release sent to us.

This will happen on Tuesday 30 October 2012 at the Sierra Leone Bank Complex with an invited audience of not more than 200.

The other organisations are Democracy Sierra Leone, Campaign for Good Governance, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Media Action, National Democratic Institute (NDI), Action Aid Sierra Leone, Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

Criteria set out by the organisers in early September were: fielding in of candidates in at least 90% of the constituencies and representation in the outgoing parliament. According to the latest information from NEC only two parties – APC and SLPP met – the above criteria.

“Good quality political debating between the leaders of the major contesting political parties during the run-up to national elections is fast becoming a positive indicator of democratic progress to enable voters make informed decisions” says SLAJ President, Umaru Fofana.

The 90-minute debate will be broadcast live on radio stations nationally and recorded for television and distribution around the country.

The debate will be moderated by Hassan Arouni, an experienced BBC journalist and presenter from Sierra Leone. All related media productions from the event will be strictly governed by editorial guidelines of the Independent Media Commission and the BBC.

Debate questions will be gathered in advance from a range of different sources, including the general public, local media houses, online forums, and the production team. The debate moderator will be responsible for final selection of debate questions.

The two candidates have described this year’s elections as crucial. This debate gives added credibility to the process and will give both the candidates a platform to explain their policies and the electorate to understand these policies better before making their final decision.