By: Mohamed Sahr
In an effort of embracing national co-existence and development after the just-concluded general elections, the All Political Parties Association (APPA) has commended Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) for staging free, fair and credible elections in a press conference held on Monday 24th July at the Commission’s headquarter in Freetown.
Prince Coker, Chairman of All Political Parties Association felt satisfied based on the outcome of elections assessment result which the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone conducted well and hit the ground running. He said for the very first time in Sierra Leone an opposition parties lavishing praises on the performance of the ECSL; adding that the elections were held in free, fair and credible ways where diverse political parties were accorded an equal level playing field for the adherence of their feedbacks and critical statements during the electioneering processes.
Coker acknowledged the security sectors for providing the conducive atmosphere during the process. ‘’This is one of the most credible, free and fair elections I have seen in Sierra Leone under the leadership of the Chief Electoral Commissioner of ECSL,’’ Chairman APPA said. He said that the elections were marred against violence and malpractices. He mentioned that the conducts of the ECSL staff tempted him to applaud the Commission on behalf of his Association. Coker believed that with this, the ECSL would step up their game and continue to perform to the expectation of all Sierra Leoneans.
Mohamed Kenewa Konneh, Chief Electoral Commissioner of Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone said national cohesion and development would only serve as the best ways for every nation to strive to the right direction. He furthered that for every election, there would be one president and a winner. Chief Commissioner felt honoured for the dashing of pleasantries from All Political Parties Association especially at the end of the general elections in Sierra Leone.
‘’We conducted an election in a situation where people were moving on with their normal calls, vehicles were plying on their regular routes and the results were announced in a peaceful atmosphere,’’ Chief Commissioner Konneh said.
He continued that the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone mentioned that the elections were built on the foundation that was laid overtimes where the elections outcome began credible and participatory. He said this year’s elections did not claim any court matter or any legal means. Chief Commissioner urged Sierra Leoneans to continue to appreciate the ECSL for the great work they have done. He thanked the All Political Parties Association for acknowledging the ECSL; noting that they would try to improve on where weaknesses exist for the next coming elections. Chief Electoral Commissioner Konneh said the ECSL would also work on areas like the attainment of Member of Parliament threshold whenever the political parties deemed it fit to do so.
Chief Electoral Commissioner Konneh thanked the Government of Sierra Leone for honouring its responsibilities to finance over 90% of the cost of the elections, and the development partners who contributed to the multilateral partners’ fund used to support civil society organisations and complimentary activities like voter turnout which was observed across the country. ‘’Whilst the ECSL awaits the final reports of the various accredited Observer Missions, we note the repetitive calls, mostly indirectly, from some quarters urging the ECSL to take actions that do not fall under the laws of Sierra Leone,’’ He said.
In another update, ECSL press release stated that the Commission would consider recommendations from the Observer Missions that would add value to the electioneering processes of which the ECSL assured everyone that it would continue to be guided by extent laws and best practice precedents in all its actions.
The Commission admitted that at no point in time was the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Commissioners and Staff of the ECSL placed under duress by His Excellency the President or any Government Official. The press release furthered that the Commission remained aware of some technical challenges and capacity issues during the electioneering process and these would be taken up in its review as they sought to strengthen the institution in order to make it more responsive and more robust. The Commission managed over 90,000 personnel and over 11,000 stations being demanded but they were extremely proud of all staff and contract workers who worked hard to ensure the election results were credible.