National Returning Officer (NRO) at the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (EC-SL), Mohamed K. Konneh has exonerated His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and his government on allegations that the President placed the NRO and staff of the Commission under duress to announce the June 24 elections results.
Mr. Konneh said: “The EC-SL would like to inform the public that at no point in time was the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Commissioners and Staff of the EC-SL placed under duress by His Excellency the President or any Government Official.
“Suggested claims of that nature by misinformed persons on social media are malicious and dangerous to our democracy. The EC-SL is concerned about the complicity of our partners as such harmful misinformation can affect the peace which Sierra Leoneans continue to experience after the elections.”
He said the EC-SL is aware of some technical challenges and capacity issues during the electioneering process, noting that these challenges will be taken up in its review as they seek to strengthen their institution to make it more responsive and more robust.
“Managing over 90,000 personnel and over 11,000 stations is demanding, but we are extremely proud of all our staff and contract workers who worked hard to ensure election results are credible. We continue to avail ourselves to all political parties, partners, and citizens. Should any party have issues or concerns, we recommend that they use the appropriate and legal processes”. Mr. Konneh stated.
He said the EC-SL is proud of its service to Sierra Leone in delivering one of the most credible, inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections since the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in Sierra Leone, while thanking the government of Sierra Leone for honouring its responsibilities to finance over 90% of the costs of the elections.
“We thank our development partners who contributed to the multilateral partners’ fund used to support civil society organisations and complimentary activities like voter education and inclusion. All these activities led to the large voter turnout observed across the country.
“In line with Section 164 of The Public Elections Act, 2022, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) accredited several Observer Missions to observe the June 24th General Elections which have been widely acclaimed as one of the most peaceful elections held in Africa.
“Whilst the EC-SL awaits the final reports of the various accredited Observer Missions, we note the repetitive calls, mostly indirectly, from some quarters urging the EC-SL to take actions that do not fall under the Laws of Sierra Leone.
“The Commission will consider recommendations from the Observer Missions that will add value to the electioneering processes. The EC-SL assures all that it will continue to be guided by extant laws and best practice precedents in all its actions.
“All such actions of the EC-SL prior to, during, and in these post-elections period have been strictly guided by national statutes and local and international best practices. The EC-SL maintains that the declared results of the June 24th elections reflect the expressed will of the voters.” Mr. Konneh concluded.
