By: Mohamed Sahr
Following the conduct of the June 24th multi-tier elections, European Union Elections Observation Mission in Sierra Leone has commended voters for committing to a fair, peaceful and transparent election during their preliminary statement made at the Radisson Blu Conference Hall in Freetown.
Evin Incir, Chief Observer for the European Union Election Observation Mission said the 203 elections were conducted under the revised electoral framework which followed broad stakeholder consultations as a way of adhering to international good practice. She mentioned that the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) registered candidates for all races in an inclusive process; noting that thirteen (13) candidates contested the presidential election and 877 candidates stood for parliamentary elections, of which 32 per cent were women.
‘’We commend voters’ dedication and resolve to exercise their democratic rights and to cast their ballots. Citizen observers who deployed their team to all polling centres on elections day positively contributed to the transparency, while the introduction of the 30 per cent gender quota for party lists enhanced women’s participation in political life,’’ Incir said.
She furthered that the European Union Election Observation Mission realized that the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) appeared operationally prepared until delays and omissions in the delivery of sensitive materials occurred on election day with reasons not being properly explained. EU EOM Chief Observer said throughout the electoral process, the ECSL apparently lacked clear, timely and comprehensive communication with the broader public which created uncertainties and reduced stakeholders’ trust. She emphasized that considering the highly polarized political environment, it was crucial to ensure full transparency and unimpeded access of observers to critical stages of the tabulation of results.
Incir said at the start of the campaign period for all political parties, freedom of movement, assembly and expression were largely respected across the entire districts. She affirmed that the disproportionate use of force by security agencies heightened tensions while divisive content circulating on social media stirred discord.
‘’Positively, national fact-checking initiative iVerify vigorously countered disinformation, and media debates in all districts helped voters to make informed choices,’’ Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission admitted.
She continued that the 2023 presidential elections were contested by the same two main contenders of the 2018 elections, only that the incumbency has switched; adding that the then opposition candidate Julius Maada Bio, campaigned from a position of executive power and sought re-election for a second and final term on the ticket of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), and the All People’s Congress (APC) went into the election as the leader of the main opposition party.
