By Mamadu Sallieu Barrie [FBC Intern]
Following the end of the multi-tier elections held on June 24, 2023, numerous polling staff members in Sierra Leone have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) for the delayed payment of their wages. These dedicated individuals, who played integral roles during the electoral process, are still awaiting their payments, leading to growing frustration among them.
Alhaji Hadie Jalloh, a Presiding Officer in the recently concluded Elections at one of the polling centers in Kenema City, voiced his disappointment as the ECSL has failed to fulfill their contractual obligations since the end of the elections. “It has been more than six weeks, and ECSL has not honored the contract that we signed for the past elections,” he stated. Alhaji’s concerns reflect the sentiments shared by many other polling staff members who are eagerly waiting for their rightful compensation.
Williams Sesay, an experienced polling agent since 2012, highlighted the unusual delay in wage disbursement. Comparing it to previous election cycles, Sesay noted that prompt payment has been the standard practice. “I worked as a polling agent with NEC in 2012 and 2018, and we were paid promptly after our work was completed,” he said. Sesay urged the commission to address the concerns raised by the polling staff promptly and ensure swift payment.
Nevertheless, ECSL in a press release dated 24th July, urged its staff to be patient. They also stated that payments would be made 15th August 2023. However, this deadline has passed without any action taken. Adding to the disappointment, the government has failed to provide the necessary funds despite saying they funded the June 24 Elections.
In a desperate plea for attention, some of the polling staff have disclosed their intention to hold a nationwide protest as they believe that will force the government to speed up with their payments.
Amara Joseph Kamara voiced the frustrations felt by his fellow polling staff members and called for public attention to compel the ECSL to take action and release the funds owed to them. Kamara mentioned that the head of his Polling Center had indicated that payment would be made in the coming week, but confirmation from the ECSL was necessary to address their concerns.
Addressing the mounting concerns, Albert Massaquoi, the Director of External Relations at ECSL, has reassured the Sierra Leoneans that all individuals who had worked for the commission during the elections would be paid. Massaquoi clarified that the delay was not due to a refusal to pay but rather a matter of processing large number of names and clarification of their details. He reassured polling staff their wages will be settled soon, emphasizing that the commission is actively working towards expediting the payment.
However, the polling staff are threatening a nationwide peaceful protest to draw the attention of the Government, Civil Society Organizations and the International Community so that their payment will done immediately.
