A high power delegation from the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) party on Wednesday 8th August 2012 completed a three-day sensitization tour in the Eastern Region. The tour was focused on the new method the party has adopted in selecting or electing candidates for the 2012 general elections.

The delegation met party members in Kono, Kailahun and Kenema informing them about the new process the party will use to award symbols to prospective candidates for the upcoming elections.

The Minister of Information and Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, who also doubles as the leader of the delegation said people in the constituencies will constitute themselves in to a Symbol Award Committee. He said these committees will include members of all facet of society in the various constituencies and will be charged with the responsibility of selecting or electing candidates to represent their people.

The committee according to him, will consist of 100 members from each constituency and will be divided according to the number of wards in the constituencies. Minister I.B. Kargbo explained that the new system for the award of symbols is the brainchild of the Chairman and leader of the Party, H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma; which he said is geared towards promoting unity and transparency within the party.

He said the system is expected to create the platform for the ordinary people within the party to decide on whom should represent them in governance. He maintained that the Chairman and leader of the party will set up a committee that will monitor the process and vet the candidates to correct their wrongs if any to ensure that those elected are eligible for the elections.

Also speaking was the Minister of Defense, Major Retired Parlor Conteh who assured the public that a robust security will be put in place before, during and after the elections, adding that the military will work with other state security institutions to ensure that the elections go on peacefully.

The delegation comprises the Minister of Information and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Joseph B. Dauda, the Minister of Defense, Major Retired Parlor Conteh, the Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Alhaji Alpha Kanu, the Resident Minister Eastern Region, Mr. William J Smith, the APC National Campaign Coordinator, Mr. Balogu Koroma and many more.