Joseph Adu Mambu

AYV News May 24, 2023

Chief Observer of the European Union Election Mission in Sierra Leone for the 2023 multi-tier elections, Evin Incir has said the Mission will be deploying one hundred elections observers on poll day.

Evin registered the Mission’s commitment to support Sierra Leone’s democratic consolidation by providing fair observation that will be neutral and impartial.

She disclosed the Mission’s key mandates which among other things include assessing of legal frameworks and implementation, work of election administration, campaign activities, voting, counting and tabulation.

She said on 11th May this year, a team of core EU elections experts landed in Sierra Leone and that this figure will be followed by another team of 28 elections observers to be deployed strategically in the sixteen districts of the country.

Evin Incir, who is also a member of the European Parliament said the 100 observers are drawn from over 26 European member states including Canada and Norway; and will be observing the entire electoral process before, during and after the elections.

She said the Mission will give a Preliminary Report 2 days after the polling day, which will be followed by a comprehensive Report to be released later.

Evin Incir also assured the people of Sierra Leone of the EU’s support in democratic consolidation by observing the voting, counting and tabulation of the results.

“Our aim in Sierra Leone is to support democratic consolidation. However, it is a joint responsibility of all political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, media and the electoral administration to maintain peaceful pre-election environment, in which fundamental rights and freedom of all Sierra Leoneans are respected.” Evin Incir said.

She added that the Mission will remain in Sierra Leone until the completion of the electoral process, including in case of second rounds of presidential election.