By Abdul Karim Sankoh 

The Civil Society Union in Sierra Leone (CSU-SL) in a press release dated 5th June 2023 demanded for a detailed account of the number of registered voters that have so far collected their voter ID cards from the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone ahead of the June 24th 2023 elections. 

The press release noted that the data requested includes voters’ ID cards per registration centres and per polling stations as well as the number of polling stations and polling centres, adding that such details, if not produced now by ECSL, have the proclivity to undermine the ability and credibility of the management of a free, fair and transparent elections on June 24th 2023. 

“This inefficiency of ECSL to publish the aforementioned data is a threat to the peace and security of the state and therefore, we are calling on the entire Civil Society Organizations and the international bodies.to compel the ECSL to publish all elections data with immediate effect,” the press release stated. 

While trying to avert political tensions and public controversies, Civil Society Union – Sierra Leone also called on registered political parties contesting the June 24th 2023 elections to join them in their demand made to the ECSL thereby calling on the attention of all security apparatus including other relevant institutions to intervene in addressing this data issue given the fact that, such concerns would pose serious threat to the peace and security of the nation. See press release

CIVIL SOCIETY UNION-SIERRA LEONE (CSU-SL) 

PRESS STATEMENT 5th June, 2023.

It has come to the notice of the management of Civil Society Union-Sierra Leone that ECSL, the body that is responsible to Conduct Public Elections in Sierra Leone as mandated by the 1991 Constitution, has not been able to publish a detailed account of the number of registered Voters that have collected their voter ID cards per registration Centres, the number of voters per polling stations and the number of polling stations and polling Centres that are expected in the forth coming June 24 Elections. 

This has undermined the ability and credibility of the management of ECSL in conducting and producing an anticipated Free, Fair and Credible Elections for the Citizens of Sierra Leone. This inefficiency of ECSL to publish the aforementioned Data is a threat to the Peace and Security of the state and thus calling on the entire Civil Society organizations and the international bodies to please step forward and as well compell the management of ECSL to publish all Elections Data with immediate effect, to avert Political tensions and public controversies. Civil Society Union-Sierra Leone is also calling on all registered Political parties for the June 24 Elections to also join us in demanding the immediate release of the Voters Registration Data by ECSL. CSU-SL is also calling on the attention of the Office of National Security, The Army Chief of staff, the Inspector-general of Police,the Chief Justice and other relevant institutions to please intervene in addressing this issue,as it poses a threat to the peace and Security of the country.

Signed King-kaprr Thallay Bah-Acting President of Civil Society Union-Sierra Leone

Cc : ECSL

      : PPRC

      :ONS

      : CSOs

      : MEDIA

      : Elections

Observer Missions

      : Chief Justice

      : All  Registered Political parties

      : Religious Council