Commonwealth Observers: Sierra Leone Elections Was Peaceful

By Samuel Ouma

The Commonwealth Observer Group in Sierra Leone have lauded Sierra Leoneans for maintaining peace during polls conducted on June 24.

The group, led by former Nigeria Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, also lauded the electorates for turning out in large numbers to cast their votes despite heightened tensions.

“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," said Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo.

However, the group said the exercise was marred with challenges, such as the late delivery of election materials to polling centres and the delayed opening of polling stations.

There were also instances of the Electoral Commission providing insufficient public communication, gaps in transparency, and a lack of public trust in the Electoral Commission and other critical state institutions, such as the court.

The Yemi-led group further reported isolated incidents of skirmishes, police arrests and attacks on polling officials and political party agents and a confrontation between security services.

They called for calmness ahead of the electoral commission's release of final results.

“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 May 25, with the same spirit of national unity, peace and solidarity," added Prof. Yemi.

The group also requested that tallying results be disclosed at the polling station level to enable cross-verification by party agents and the general 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,” said the group.