President Ernest Koroma has invoked the Military Aid to Civil Power (MAC-P) protocol for the conduct of the bye-election in the Lugbu Ward, Bo district, scheduled for Thursday Twenty-fifth February.

During the Monday meeting, the president expressed grave concern over the incidents of political violence that occurred following the recent Tongo Field local government bye-election. The President cited the reported importation of non-residents into Tongo Field before and during the election which allegedly provoked the violence and atrocities that disrupted the peace and security in the area. The President reaffirmed his commitment to maintain law and order throughout Sierra Leone. The State House announcement warned all those who have nothing to do with the conduct of elections to avoid the electoral area, ‘in their own best interest’. ‘The full force of the law will be brought to bear on any person who engaged in electoral malpractices or acts of political violence that are inimical to the national interest, the release emphasized.