By: Mohamed Sahr
Holding a joint press conference on the preliminary declaration of the June 24th General Elections, ECOWAS and Africa Union has affirmed that counting and sorting of ballot papers was done in the full view of political party agents and observers. This was mentioned at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Freetown.
His Excellency Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Head of ECOWAS Election Observation Mission said the mission expressed regret that major political parties pre-empted the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) by rushing to announce their victory in the just concluded elections before the official announcement by the legal body which is the ECSL.
He added that the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission appealed to all stakeholders particularly the political parties, candidates and their supporters, the security forces and the general citizenry to remain calm and patiently await the announcement of the results by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas stated that in 84% of polling stations visited, it seemed that there were inadequate light conditions, especially during the commencement of vote counting.
“Sorting and counting of ballot papers was done at the polling stations in clear view of party agents and observers,” he said.
HE Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas furthered that almost 98% of polling stations were set up in a way that guaranteed the secrecy of the vote; adding that vote materials were generally available in sufficient quantities, and 63% of polling stations visited were accessible to Persons living with Disability.
He mentioned that the atmosphere of polling stations was entirely peaceful with security agents present in 92% of the stations visited. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas said despite some delays at most of the polling stations visited, there were a considerable number of voters and the commencement of voting started at a specific time though some polling stations started voting late.
His Excellency Hailemariam Boshe, Head of the Africa Union Election Observation Mission to Sierra Leone said the mission deployed observers across the entire country to observe key processes including the final phases of the electoral campaigns, Election Day and limited post-election activities among others. He emphasized that the mission was charged with the responsibility to observe, assess and report on the preparation for the elections in line with the relevant international instruments for democratic elections including the Africa Union Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections, Africa Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation (PEMMO), and other legal framework for elections in Sierra Leone.
He said the 2023 elections were conducted based on the following legal instruments of the 1991 Constitution (as amended as to 2008), 2022 Public Elections Acts (as amended 2023), 2022 Political Parties Acts, 2022 Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Bill, 2022 Local Government Act and the other regulations and procedures.
“The Mission commends the introduction of the District Block Proportional Representation System,” His Excellency Hailemariam Boshe said.
HE Boshe continued that the Africa Union Election Observation Mission observed that elections were conducted in a peaceful, transparent and credible manner up to the counting on polling day despite reported incidents of violence particularly during the pre-election period.
He highlighted the preliminary recommendations for consideration in improving future electoral processes; the key among them was, the government should put in place measures to ensure the peace and stability of the country in order to safeguard the security of all citizens. Noting that the ECSL should adopt continuous improvement and transparency in engaging stakeholders to avoid mistrust and enhance confidence in the electoral process. “ECSL should provide comprehensive voter registration data to allow for targeted intervention in the electoral process to improve participation,” His Excellency Hailemariam Boshe said.
He revealed that the political parties should refrain from violence, hate speech and any other acts that could undermine the stability of the country. His Excellency Hailemariam Boshe urged ECSL to make provision for early voting for its staff, media and security personnel working on election day.