By: James Kamara-Manneh
When responding to questions from members of the press in a press conference organized by the Commonwealth Observer Group yesterday 19th June 2023 at the Raddison Blu, Chairman H.E Prof Yemi Osinbajo said they will not play any executive role in the conduct of the June 24th election that will be conducted by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone.
The Chairperson of Commonwealth Observers Group, and the former Vice President of Nigeria together with his team are in Sierra Leone to observe the process of the forthcoming general elections slated for 24th June 2023.
He described the Commonwealth Observer Group as one that has no executive role, rather, it observes the process as a whole and makes recommendations accordingly.
“We will observe the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the post-election period, in particular, we will consider whether the conditions exist for credible elections, including a fair election environment; whether public media has been impartial; the transparency of the entire process; whether voters are free to express their will; and whether the counting and results process is transparent,” he said.
He said one of the salient risks that will affect any country’s democratic process is violence. He called on all to keep the peace before, during and after the elections.
The Commonwealth Observer Group Chairperson disclosed that they will report on whether the elections were conducted in accordance with the standards to which Sierra Leone has committed itself, including its national law, and regional and international commitments.
He further that they will be guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, objectivity and independence, and their assessment will be their own, and not that of any member of the government.
The former Vice President that was groomed in Black African regalian that the group will be meeting stakeholders including the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, government representatives, political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, citizen and international observer groups, diplomats, and the media.
“From the 22 of June, we will deploy our observers in small teams across various parts of the country to observe the voting, counting and results process, as well as meet with other stakeholders in respective locations. On Election Day, we will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting and the results management processes,” said Prof Osinbajo.
The soft-spoken diplomat said on the 26th of June they will issue an interim statement on preliminary findings before members of the Group depart Sierra Leone on the 30th of June.
“A final report will then be prepared and submitted to the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, subsequently shared with relevant stakeholders and made publicly available. Friends, colleagues, as you are well aware, this is a crucial and delicate period”.
He said their presence in Sierra Leone will affirm the unwavering support of the Commonwealth to the country and its democratic processes. The eyes of more than 2.5 billion people of the Commonwealth – more than 60% of whom are young people under the age of 30 – will be upon Sierra Leone. Watching, in solidarity and in hope.
“The peaceful and prosperous future of the nation lies in your hands. And in that future, violence, division and hate cannot play a part. The hard lessons that history has taught us through the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods – we cannot afford to repeat,” he reiterated.
Therefore, as 3.3 million registered voters come forth to exercise their democratic right on Election Day, as this great nation expresses its will for its future, may peace, justice and national unity prevail above all.
He noted that the COG enjoins all political parties and their supporters to uphold the commitments of the Electoral Pledge to free, fair and violence-free elections, admirably signed barely two weeks ago. And encourage all citizens to do their part to ensure that a peaceful and credible process takes place on the 24th of June.