AYV News May 25, 2023
The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (EC-SL), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Guinea for the use of eleven thousand empty Guinean Ballot Boxes in Sierra Leone’s 2023 multi-tier elections.
Under the West Africa Electoral Peer Support Initiative, Sierra Leone’s Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh led a delegation of Electoral Commissioners and staff of the EC-SL to the Republic of Guinea, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to sign the MoU.
The signing ceremony was jointly coordinated by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation which is responsible for elections administration in Guinea and the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Guinea.
The MoU signing ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Mory Conde. In attendance were the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Abroad, Agriculture and Breeding and the Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Dr. Mory-Sanda Kouyate, Mr. Muhamadu Nagnalein Barry and Mr. Ousmane Gawal Diallo respectively.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mory Conde on behalf of the Guinean Government pledges his country’s commitment to foster bilateral relationships with another sister country and to help in time of need.
According to the minister; “Guinea as a pioneer of Pan Africanism is happy to Promote Africa and Pan African exchange of ideas and materials in the area of Government.”
She said according to the MoU, eleven thousand (11,000) empty ballot boxes will be released to the EC-SL to be used as Guinea’s assistance in the conduct of the forthcoming elections in Sierra Leone.
EC-SL Chairman, Mohamed K. Konneh extended warm greetings from the Government and People of Sierra Leone, noting the historical and family relationships that exist between the two sister countries.
Chairman Konneh further registered his Commission’s gratitude and appreciation to the Guinean Authorities as the EC-SL conducts elections in a month.
He further stated that Guinea’s “generosity has made us work harder to achieve the task of conducting credible elections in Sierra Leone” and also; “this support will make a significant impact towards our success.”
In conclusion, Chairman Konneh promised to take good care of the electoral materials and to return them in good order.
The meeting was climaxed with the signing of the MoU between the two countries.
