On Saturday, October 28, 2023, the Waterloo Police Division, under the leadership of CSP Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Sama, orchestrated a substantial security operation deploying 668 General Duties Police personnel.
Their mission was to ensure robust security coverage across over 80 towns and villages in the Western Area Rural District, where elections for the role of Village Head were conducted by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The day began with peaceful voting, kicking off at 7:00 a.m. at the majority of polling centers and stations in Waterloo. However, a few isolated incidents of skirmishes between supporters of rival candidates briefly disrupted proceedings. Timely intervention by the Waterloo Police swiftly restored normalcy, allowing voting to proceed smoothly.
At 5:00 p.m., polling came to a close, and the careful counting of ballots took place in the presence of polling agents and election observers.
Following the announcement of final vote counts, supporters of several candidates celebrated their victories.
In some towns and villages, physical confrontations resulting in assaults occurred, leading to a small number of arrests.
In conclusion, the overall security situation in Waterloo and its surrounding areas remains stable, thanks to the diligent efforts of the Waterloo Police Division.
Credit: Media Team, Waterloo Division
