AYV News May 25, 2023
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu has assured the 2023 Elections Management Bodies (EMBs), including the European Union (EU) Elections Observers that the Force will provide maximum security for the 2023 elections.
He said the Police has been involved in every level of the process since the announcement of the date for the elections, citing the midterm census, voter registration, voter ID Cards distribution, primaries, election of political parties’ national officials and now the campaign.
With support from partners, the police he said has undergone series of trainings, including public order management, elections and security, human right, command and control, which makes us more prepared.
“As an organisation, we have built our own capacity and very sure we are positioned sufficiently to police this 2023 elections” said IGP Sellu.
He stated further that the SLP is not working in isolation but with the multiplier forces to enable them properly Police the over 11,000 polling stations and centers across the country.
Unlike the 2012 and 2018 that had post elections violence, the police chief expressed optimism that there will be no post elections tensions in 2023, disclosing constant engagements with political parties, community outreach and awareness raising programmes on peace and non-violence involving, traditional and religious leaders, women, and youth groups across the country.
During the campaigns period, the SLP, the Police Chief said, will make sure that every party coming out on the day assigned to it gives out its messages unhindered but urged that in as much as the Police have the responsibility to provide security, politicians and their supporters equally have the moral obligations to make sure they conduct themselves within the ambit of the law.
The EU has deployed an election observation mission to observe the elections following an invitation by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (EC-SL) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Mission’s mandate is to observe all aspects of the electoral processes and assess the extent to which the elections comply with Sierra Leone’s law as well as with regional and international standards and commitments Sierra Leone has made regarding democratic elections.
