Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards has received the final report from the European Union Electoral Observation Mission to Sierra Leone (EU-EOM) on the June, 23 general elections.
The EU-EOM delegation was led by the EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H. E. Manuel Muller.
Presenting a copy of their report to the Honourable Chief Justice and Management of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, the Chief Electoral Observer of the EU-EOM and member of the European Parliament, Ms. Evin Incir said the report represents the observations of 104 long and short term observers who covered the entire electoral cycle.
She said the team has been able to put together a comprehensive report from which 21 recommendations were reached on the basis of transparency, inclusion and accountability.
Ms. Incir stressed that their work spanned from the pre electoral period to during and after the elections, including tabulation and analysis.
She added that it is a great honour to have served as the Chief Observer, noting it signifies good relationships and partnership that the E.U and Sierra Leone have enjoyed over the years.
Legal Analyst, Sylvian Ollier said among the 21 recommendations, one of them calls for cleaning of the legal framework as it relates to elections, expeditious adjudication of pre-election cases especially those touching and concerning Presidential Candidates and their challenges, and the results in case of a runoff.
Welcoming the delegation, the Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards said he’s observed that the recommendations are general and do not specifically picture out the Judiciary since there are no elections petitions before the Court whether before, during and after the elections.
He said the recommendations have been noted and would be looked into as and where necessary.
The Chief Justice used the occasion to thank the EU for their unflinching support to the Judiciary through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). He referenced the holding of four separate trainings for judges on electoral laws, putting together a better compendium on electoral laws and a revised curriculum, among others.
- E. Manuel Muller reaffirmed the commitment of the European Union to supporting the Judiciary of Sierra Leone in areas identified for support.
