By Richmond B Tholley

The Government of Sierra Leone through the Local Government Ministry in collaboration with the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone has released the official timetable for the conduct of Paramount Chieftaincy elections for four Chiefdoms in the Northern District of Tonkolili. Immediately after the said elections, the District is welcoming four new Paramount Chiefs.

It's worth noting that the newly released timetable also captured chiefdoms outside Tonkolili District where Chieftaincy elections would be held, but this reporter focuses  on Tonkolili only.

The timetable with dates for the Revision of Tribal Authorities, Declaration of Rights Ceremony and Elections went viral on social media on Tuesday August 27th 2024. Before the conduct of Paramount Chieftaincy elections, there must be a Revision of Tribal Authorities to determine eligible tax payers that are authorized to vote on pooling day and Declaration of Rights Ceremony where aspiring candidates will declare their intention before the electorates who will determine whether one is qualified to contest for the Paramount Chieftaincy elections of a particular Chiefdom or not.

By law, only a bonafied member of a ruling house that has existed in the Chiefdom before 27th April 1961 is considered eligible to contest for Paramount Chieftaincy elections in any chiefdom. And it's during the Declaration of Rights Ceremony that the Tribal Authorities of a particular Chiefdom will in front of the authorities decide on the eligibility of aspirants.

In Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone,  dates have been selected by the authorities for the conduct of Paramount Chieftaincy elections in four Chiefdoms.

The four Chiefdoms - Mayepor, Malal, Kholifa Mabang and Kholifa Mamunta Mayossor have been under the authority of caretakers known as Regent Chiefs. With the exception of Kholifa Mabang Chiefdom where the vacancy was as a result of the death of the then ruler and Paramount Chief, the other three were as a result of the de-amalgamation of Chiefdoms. In other words, Mayepor, Malal and Mamunta Mayossor were chiefdoms separated by the last Government of Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, and caretaker Chiefs were placed to look after the Chiefdoms until elections that will usher in the rightful claimants of the thrones and Chieftaincy of the said Chiefdoms are conducted.

According to the new timetable, Mayepor Chiefdom will have its declaration of rights ceremony on the 26th September 2024 and the eligible candidates will go into elections on the 10th October 2024.

Those aspiring for the Paramount Chieftaincy of Malal Chiefdom will declare their intention on the 14th October 2024, and the qualified candidate will go into the pools on the 28th October 2024. Furthermore, Kholifa Mabang Chiefdom will have its declaration on 12th October and elections on the 26th October 2024 respectively. Finally for Tonkolili District, Mamunta Mayossor will have its declaration of rights ceremony on the 5th October and elections on the 19th 2024.

In the timetable, different dates have also been slated for two Chiefdoms in Tonkolili District to hold a stakeholders engagement, Assessment and Revision. The two are Poli and Kalanthuba chiefdoms

As the the four Chiefdoms prepare for elections, the expectations of the people are that the authorities should ensure the process is not only credible but should be fair and done in a transparent manner. Above all, it must be free from political interference.

Paramount Chieftaincy plays a significant role in the day today affairs of governance. Paramount Chiefs are a symbol of peace, custodians of the customs and traditions of their Chiefdoms.