“We also emphasize that the NEC is the only constitutionally-mandated authority responsible for announcing election results. The United States remains committed to Sierra Leone’s future and we look forward to strengthening the ties between our two countries” the Embassy stated.

In another development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observer Mission in Sierra Leone has been at the forefront in observing the electoral process.

At a press conference held at the Bintumani Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown on Thursday 8^th March 2018, several members of the ECOWAS Election Observer Mission stated that they are satisfied with the transparency of the elections although a couple of them had a few issues with the system.

The press conference was geared towards the preliminary declaration of the ECOWAS pre-elections observations and was grace by former Heads of State from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and others international observers.

The Director of Political Affairs and Peace Security ECOWAS Dr. Remi Aji Bewa said the entire observing committee for their work in covering the elections process till now and urged them to continue their good works in ensuring the country come out very strong and united.

He went o to say that the 65 members ECOWAS observation according to the Director was lead by former Liberia President H.E. Amos Claudius Sawyer as 15 of them constituting the long-term and have in the country since February 17^th to observe pre-electoral environment he added that another 55 short term observer later arrive in the country to observe the election.

“Our tradition is has being on the field to observe the conduct of the polls and most of them just return from their observation from the conduct of the election”

“The report of their observation during the elections constitute of crops of the preliminary report” he said. 

Head of Mission ECOWAS H.E. Amos Claudius Sawyer Former President Liberia in his statement said that, the President of ECOWAS H.E Jean-Claude Kassi Brou deployed an Elections Observation Mission (EOM) to Sierra Leone in pursuance of the provisions of the ECOWAS 2001 Supplementary Protocol of Democracy and Good Governance, and within the framework of the program of assistance to members states organizing elections.

“Sierra Leone has organized for the second time in its history, general elections in which four different elections (Presidential, Parliamentary, Chairperson/Mayoral and Local Council) are held simultaneously” he said; adding that the March 7^th elections represent another milestone in the consolidation of democracy in Sierra Leone.

The ECOWAS EOM according to the Former President main objective was to ensure credible and peaceful electoral process and to support the people of Sierra Leone in her efforts to deepen her young democracy. He added that prior to the deployment of ECOWAS Observation Mission, through its early Warning and Response Mechanism, ECOWAS extensively engaged various actors and closely monitored the political situation and day-to-day developments in Sierra Leone particularly regarding the electoral process.

“The deployment of long-term observer will help create an atmosphere of public trust and also contribute to the prevention of management of election related conflicts”

“The Commission also provided $ 750,000 as financial assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone for the Implementation of training, awareness and civic education activities” he said.