According to the NEW Chairperson Marcella Samba Sesay they observed the entire 2018 electoral cycle activities from the Boundary Delimitation (BD) onto the immediate post-elections environment, stating that the political will for the 2018 elections to be conducted was questionable.

Election dates according to Sesay were only announced when civil society mounted pressure including a press statement calling on the NEC and government for the announcement of the election dates to allow interested people prepare for the contest.

Sesay disclosed that they effectively observed the 2018 electoral cycle. “We were proactive by being present where decisions were made on the electoral process and we were able to contribute to having the elections conducted in conformity with international standards and best practices,” Sesay said.

Launching the report, Country Officer OSIWA Joe Pemagbi commended NEW for substantive work in the March 2018 general elections and for their partnership with other stakeholders in other countries to come out with a credible report.