By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
In its Final Report for Sierra Leone June 24 general elections, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) has clarified that the 2023 general elections underscored a clear commitment among Sierra Leoneans to the democratic processes, while also highlighting the need to enhance transparency and inclusion to build trust for future electoral processes.
The EU Election Observation Mission made the above clarification on Tuesday 10 October 2023 in a conference at the Mammy Yoko hotel (Radisson Blu) while also publishing it in their report which hard copies available and could also be accessed in their website.
As part of its final report, the mission offered 21 recommendations to enhance future electoral processes. Amongst the recommendations were the need to promote transparency and accountability protects candidates and holding perpetrators of election related violence accountable and also protect freedom of expression.
“The decision to establish a National Election Systems Review Committee may constitute a first step towards a comprehensive review of legal and operations aspects of elections. The Committee’s success will hinge on its ability to cater for an inclusive process bringing together stakeholders from the complete spectrum of political parties and civil society organizations,” the mission further recommended.
The European Union Election Observation Mission applauded President Bio’s achievement of gender parity as the 6th Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone made up of 30 percent of women representation. “The reforms undertaken ahead of these elections were important. Nonetheless, I encourage political parties to take this work forward, to make a reinforced commitment for gender parity, which will further enhance women participation in public and political life,” said EOM Chief Observer Evin Incir.
The Chief Observer reinforced the importance to further foster democratic processes with a strong political will of all stakeholders, promote inclusion and transparency, and most importantly to build public confidence. The mission assured its unweaving commitment to support Sierra Leonean stakeholders in those efforts and in the implementation of the recommendations.
In its detailed volume report, the mission recognized the peaceful atmosphere in which the election was conducted while also highlighting the adverse effects of social media in the electioneering process. “Throughout the campaign, fundamental rights of freedom of assembly and movement were largely respected. Lead presidential candidates toured the country, while those for other races focused on a door-to-door canvassing,” EU EOM noted
Clarifying a question from the conference, the EU Election Observation Mission Chef Observer said their job was to observe, make report with recommendations but not in any capacity to make decisions. Evin said that they could not make conclusions as that were not in their mandate. She revealed that they painstakingly looked at the whole election process from all the 16 districts not only the election results.
Evin Incir disclosed that they do observe the election based on national laws and international standards and expressed hope that the recommendations made from their two-month long nation-wide election observation would be taken into consideration.
