Several women of Tahn Town in Gola Konneh District on Monday May 24, 2021 staged a protest demanding the immediate certification of Simeon Boima Taylor as Senator of Grand Cape Mount County amidst delay by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Simeon Taylor, a candidate of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) was declared winner of the December 8, 2020 Special Senatorial Elections in Grand Cape Mount by the NEC after he accumulated the highest votes cast during the voting process.
But, his closest rival, incumbent Senator Victor Watson of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) filed a complaint to the NEC claiming that the process was marred by multiple frauds. Senator Watson cited alleged double registration and voting, counting of invalid votes in favor of Senator-elect Taylor, and increasing the numbers on the records of account.
Following inquiries by the NEC, the Board of Commissioners ruled in favor of Simeon Taylor.Senator Watson took an appeal to the Supreme Court and the high court mandated the NEC to look into the case again and make final determination.
However, the aggrieved women see the decision of the court and the NEC as a calculated attempt to delay the certification of their Senator-elect.
According to them, the decision is denying them of their votes after waiting in the rain and sun by abandoning every activity to elect their senator and stated that the legal rigmarole is significantly contributing to the stalling of several development projects in the county. As of today’s date, it is exactly six months that the county has gone without full member of the caucus.
According to a team of reporters from Bana FM who visited the protest scene, women were seen holding placards with various inscriptions, “No Simeon No Work, we want the NEC to speed up with its ongoing electoral proceedings and certificate Simeon Taylor, our Senator-elect.” Sitting, lying on the grounds, cooking, and some singing traditional melodies of the county, the women mainly in their 50s threatened to continue their protest actions until their Senator-elect, Simeon Taylor is certificated.
The political bickering in the county has drawn the attentions of all because of the quiet nature of the county. But it seems the Grand Cape Mount known for quietude, is weeping politically, as evidenced by the actions of the women.
It can be recalled; President George Weah during his County Tour to Grand Cape Mount County peacefully called on Senator Victor Watson to quit his legal action and go back and start working with his citizens. But that call by the President, the Political Leader of the CDC which Senator Watson is a full member is yet to be honored by the defeated Senator.