Referendum Raffle is Unlawful, Immoral and Unethical

Still on the matter of the I.C.J., over the weekend, raffles were announced in several constituencies by U.D.P. standard bearers to get a YES vote.  The raffles were announced for May eighth and winners would get cash, appliances and trips. The People’s United Party issued a statement to say it is appalled and outraged by the shameless act.  It also called on government to withdraw it since the raffle reduces the sacred voting rights of the people.  It also states that the ‘Referendum raffle’ is illegal, citing the Representation of the People’s Act which states that, “Every person who is guilty of bribery, treating or undue influence shall be guilty of a corrupt practice, and is liable on summary conviction thereof, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one year, or to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to both such fine and period of imprisonment.” The Citizens for the Defence of Sovereignty, CDS, also issued a release condemning the raffle and calling on the organizers to desist, calling it unlawful, immoral and unethical. This morning, the Prime Minister spoke on radio about the issue, saying that in this instance he had spoken to O.J. Elrington, the Freetown U.D.P. standard Bearer, to stop the raffle. The PM said Elrington had obliged.