By Minkailu Kebbie
The National Elections Watch (NEW) in a press release dated the 15th of June 2023 exposed ECSL again on their dubious acts to rig the June 24 elections.
The National Election Watch (NEW) is a prominent civil society organization that is dedicated to promoting transparent, credible, and peaceful elections in the country. However, NEW has raised a series of concerns concerning the electioneering processes by ECSL. More concerns have been raised in the area of late notification about the early voting of pilgrims to Mecca. “Information on the date for the early voting was communicated at a PPLC meeting held in Freetown on 14th June 2023, less than 24 hours to the commencement of polls on 15th June 2023”, the release stated. This is a clear manifestation that ECSL wants to rig the election for the ruling government.
The release further stated that some voters were turned away because their names were not on the Voters’ List. But the million-dollar question that every sober-minded Sierra Leonean would ask is the fact that ECSL earlier on claimed to have registered all the Pilgrims. So, how would these pilgrims’ names not be on the voters’ list? A point that is very visible and that speaks to the fact that something is hidden somewhere that ECSL doesn’t want to tell the general public.
Also, there is non-clarity on the early voters’ list. And according to NEW, section 4 of the public election (Early Voting) Regulations of 2023, provides for an early voters’ list. NEW observed that the early voters’ list was not exhibited and the number of voters for early voting disaggregated by the district was not available. Accordingly, best practice dictates that all voters’ lists should be made public ahead of an election.
Another very important area that was raised in the release is the lack of transparency in the procurement and Printing of Ballot Papers. According to NEW, ECSL confirmed that ballot papers for early voting were printed in Sierra Leone. They had earlier informed the PPLC meeting that, ballot papers in South Africa would arrive in Sierra Leone on Saturday, 17th June 2023. This means that ballot papers for the June 2023 elections have been printed in two different countries and potentially by two different companies. NEW is therefore concerned about the protection, custody, verifiability, transparency, and accounting, the production of ballot papers printed by two different countries for the same purpose.
However, growing concerns from citizens have emerged over the perceived recklessness of the Electoral Commission and its potential to plunge the nation into another devastating civil war. With the wounds of the past still fresh in the memories of many citizens, the stakes are high as accusations of electoral irregularities and fears of rigged elections continue to circulate. The country stands at a critical juncture, with tensions escalating and the need for transparent, credible, and peaceful electoral processes becoming more crucial than ever.
The allegations against the Electoral Commission have created an atmosphere of mistrust and skepticism among the populace. Many citizens believe that the commission’s actions, if unchecked, may lead to a repeat of the violent conflict that plagued the country in the past.
For a nation scarred by conflict, the electoral process represents a vital opportunity to uphold democratic principles, ensure political stability, and foster national unity. Transparent and credible elections are essential in maintaining the trust of the people and providing a peaceful avenue for expressing their political will. Any compromise to these principles risks destabilizing the nation and potentially reigniting deep-seated grievances.
In light of the escalating concerns, civil society organizations, human rights activists, and international bodies should call for urgent action to address the perceived recklessness of the Electoral Commission. They should emphasize the importance of independent oversight, impartial investigations into alleged electoral irregularities, and the implementation of safeguards to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
