By: Mohamed Sahr
In an effort of expediting electoral justice during and after the June 24th General Elections, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone with support from the European Union (EU), Canada, Irish Aid, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has officially launched the second volume compilation of electoral laws on Wednesday 22nd June 2023 at the High Court of Sierra Leone in Freetown.
His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, Chief Justice of the Sierra Leone Judiciary who was in company with other judges said as part of their preparedness for the forthcoming elections, they were able to provide the second set of compendiums of electoral laws that would be predicated on elections.
The Chief Justice mentioned that the previous volume that was produced for the 2018 elections has been revived to match up with the present compendium.
“The second volume includes every law that is related to the elections, and what is added involves a list of cases concerning elections as well as lists of international instruments to which Sierra Leone is part,’’ Chief Justice said.
He continued that the volume addition of Public Elections Acts and the amendment of the constitution were documented in the second segment of the compendium of electoral laws; adding that the aim of the compilation was to enable lawyers to source their materials that are presented in a flexible situation which would not offer delay on the part of the judiciary especially when dealing with cases of elections. He revealed that the delay in publication was a result of the untimely work of the printer that was used.
Chief Justice Babatunde Edward felt pleased with the launching of the second volume of the compendium of electoral laws. He said the book serves as very resourceful material for judges and lawyers across the country, noting that there would be thousands of copies nationwide for easy access.
