The Commonwealth Observer Group in Sierra Leone has welcomed the large turn-out of voters for the country's multi-tier elections held on 24 th June, and found that polling day was generally peaceful, despite heightened tensions during the week.
Announcing the Group's preliminary findings, the Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group, H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said:
"We were impressed by the significant turn-out of voters and the largely peaceful conduct of elections - a testimony to the will of the people to consolidate the democratic gains of Sierra Leone. It was observed that election actors conducted themselves as expected on election day."
Challenges
However, the Observer Group noted key logistical challenges, such as the late delivery of election materials to polling centres and the delayed opening of polling stations.
They highlighted that there were some cases of inadequate public communication from the Electoral Commission, gaps in levels of transparency and a deficit in public trust in the Electoral Commission and other key state institutions, such as the judiciary.
The Group noted isolated incidents of skirmishes, police arrests and attacks on polling officials and political party agents and that a confrontation between security services and the opposition party on the day after elections had further flared political tensions.
Prof. Osinbajo stated:
"We appeal to all political parties, their supporters and other stakeholders in the electoral process to continue to show utmost restraint and allow the Electoral Commission to discharge its mandate.
"We urge all to continue upholding their commitment to the electoral pledge, signed by political parties on 25 May, with the same spirit of national unity, peace and solidarity."
Recommendations
The Observer Group offered several preliminary recommendations to help address some of the challenges cited. Amongst them was a call for the Electoral Commission to conduct a thorough post-election review and establish appropriate domestic mechanisms for recommendations to be taken up.
With final results of the election expected within days, it also urged that results from tallying be published at the polling station level to allow for cross-verification by party agents as well as the public.
"We urge the Electoral Commission to exercise maximum transparency in the days ahead, as its staff finalises the tabulation of votes and prepare to release final results," the Group stated.
Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group are expected to depart by 28 th June, except in the event of a run-off between the two top presidential candidates.
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Notes to Editors
- The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states. Our combined population is 2.5 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under.
- The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-three of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
- The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights. Our work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
- Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.
- The Commonwealth admitted Gabon and Togo as its 55th and 56th members respectively at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2022. Prior to this, Rwanda was the last country to join in 2009.
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