By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Freetown – The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) has said that Sierra Leone general elections are generally conducted in line with national legal framework, regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections.
The Head of Mission, Kgalema Motlanthe, made the remark while presenting the Mission’s preliminary findings and observations on the election at a press conference on Friday in Sierra Leone.
Motlanthe said based on its observations and findings, the AUEOM considers the March 7 elections as “largely peaceful and transparent until now.
“The AUEOM concludes that the 2018 general elections were generally conducted in line with the national legal framework as well as the regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections.
“As the National Electoral Commission (NEC) completes the final phases of the electoral process, the AUEOM implores all candidates, political parties and all Sierra Leoneans to preserve peace and security in the country,’’ he said.
Motlanthe said that on the day of the election, the AUEOM observed the opening and closing processes in 18 polling stations and observed the voting process in 192 polling stations.
He said that the polling day processes unfolded peacefully and orderly, adding it was also observed that voting began at no later than 7:30 a.m. except for mayoral election at isolated places in Bonthe.
He said that no forms of irregularity were observed during the voting process except the case where ballot papers were not placed in the ballot boxes by the voters themselves.
“Observers were satisfied with the voting process in most polling stations, and the overall conduct of polling procedures was assessed as generally good.
“The AUEOM reported that in most polling stations visited, the polling personnel performed their duties competently, adhering to procedures in accordance with the laws and electoral regulations of Sierra Leone.’’
He also commended security personnel for their professional conduct during the elections saying in some occurrences, their presence was not visible to the public.
“ AU observers described the security presence which was deemed sometimes insufficient as mostly ‘discreet’ and ‘professional’.
On the counting of votes Motlanthe said there were no records of irregularities with the ballot boxes and no AU observer reported a discrepancy with the reconciliation.
He, however, listed poor crowd control, presence of visible campaign materials, poor lightening at polling centres among others as some of the noticed challenged in the elections.
Motlanthe recommended that the government should consider appropriate affirmative action measures, including quotas, to enhance women’s participation in the elective process to improve future electoral processes in Sierra Leone.
He advised the agencies to ensure that security measures such as restriction of vehicular movement on election day did not affect the participation of voters in the electoral process.
Motlanthe called on NEC to conduct the ongoing tallying process in an effective and transparent manner as well regularly inform the people on the tallying process.
He said this was important to avoid misinformation as well as expedite announcement of results to prevent anxiety.
“Political Parties and candidates should refrain from using intemperate language and other forms of intimidation during the electoral process.
“Parties should also exercise restraint in their pronouncements and actions as they await the completion of the tallying process.
“They should channel any dispute regarding the electoral outcomes through the appropriate legal channels as per the Sierra Leonean legal framework.
He said that AUEOM applauds the people of Sierra Leone for their commitment to upholding democracy as demonstrated by their patience and civil conduct on Election Day.
“As the NEC completes the final phases of the electoral process, the AUEOM implores all candidates, political parties and all Sierra Leoneans to preserve peace and security in the country.” (NAN)
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