By Lawrence Williams
The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sierra Leone got underway on Tuesday, marking the official start of the 2023 elections campaign announced by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). The EOM’s Chief Observer Ms. Evin Incir, who is also a member of the European Parliament, told a press conference in Freetown that their mandate was to observe all aspects of the electoral process and assess the level of compliance with the country’s electoral laws, including regional and international standards, best practices and benchmarks Sierra Leone has acceded to. Additionally, the EOM will assess the role of state institutions, civil society and the media in the entire electoral process and as well observe Election Day and post-election activities.
Ms. Incir said they are not here to interfere with the process but to help consolidate democracy, saying they “have no authority to change or correct any shortcomings”.
She said: “The EU EOM operates in accordance with the United Nations Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. Therefore, all EU election observers are bound by a strict code of conduct and ethical guidelines that guarantee our neutrality and impartiality.”
Ms. Incir further stated that a core team of ten (10) analysts arrived on 11 May. The core team’s focus would be on all aspects of the electoral process, including monitoring social and mainstream media. In addition to that, 28 long-term observers have been deployed this week in all sixteen electoral districts to assess the level of preparations and stakeholders’ activities, and to monitor political campaigns. On Election Day, she said the EOM would deploy an additional 40 short-term observers, and ten (10) more would be recruited from EU diplomatic missions in the country.
“We aim to support democratic consolidation in Sierra Leone,” remarked Ms. Incir; adding that “it is a joint responsibility of all political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, the media, and the electoral administration to maintain a peaceful pre-election environment in which the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Sierra Leoneans are respected”. Ms. Incir concluded by saying that the EOM would issue a preliminary statement on 26 June. A final report comprising their findings and recommendations will be published at the finalisation of the entire electoral process.
