AFRICA/SIERRA LEONE - Polling stations open for 2nd round of presidential elections. Catholic Bishops call for “Non-violence. Strive for unity and harmony”

Freetown (Agenzia Fides)- In Sierra Leone polling stations opened for the second round of presidential elections (see Fides 7 September 2007). Some 2.6 million eligible voters are called to cast their ballots in 6,150 stations. In the first round on 11 August opposition candidate Ernest Bai Koroma obtained 44% of the votes and outgoing vice president Solomon Berewa came second with 38%. Neither candidates obtained the necessary absolute majority to win in the first round and in this second round, a simple majority will be sufficient for a victory. Koroma's All People’s Congress Party, won 59 of the 112 seats in Parliament against the 43 seats obtained by the Sierra Leone People's Party led by Berewa.
Former government minister Charles Margai, who came third place in the first round obtaining 14% of the votes, has offered his support to Koroma, making him automatically the favourite in these elections today 8 September.
The electoral campaign was disturbed by incidents and violence criticised by the local Catholic Bishops in a message. “We condemn all persons who by their acts or conduct foment sentiments of tribalism and regionalism as a means of gaining political power” the bishops said “Riotous acts of indiscipline, retaliation, destruction, violence and disrespect for the rule of law are sinful and inadmissible practices”.
The bishops urged the people of Sierra Leone to "submit to God," strive for unity, show respect for each others' rights and disregard divisive ethnic sentiments. They called on people to pray for a "God-fearing president and Parliament."
The local Catholic community undertook an intense campaign of election education among the people particularly with the help of Radio Maria and the Bishops' Commission for Justice and Peace. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/9/2007 righe 27 parole 312)