By Nasratu Kargbo
Twelve Commonwealth Observers will be deployed across the country tomorrow ahead of June 24 according to the Chairman of the Commonwealth Observers Group, Yemi Osinbajo.
Osinbajo at a press conference held on the 19th of June 2023 said “From the 22 of June, we will deploy our observers in small teams across various parts of the country to observe the voting; counting, and results process, as well as meet with other stakeholders in respective locations”.
He explained that on Election Day they will be observing the opening, voting, closing, counting, and the results management processes, revealing that after the process, they will issue an interim statement on the 26th of June 2023 on their preliminary findings before departing on the 30th of this month.
The Chairman explained that a final report will then be prepared and submitted to the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, which will be later presented to relevant stakeholders and the public.
“The Commonwealth Observer Group has no executive role; its function is not to interfere with, but to observe the process as a whole and to make recommendations accordingly,” Osinbajo said.
He said that they will be observing the pre-election atmosphere, polling day activities, and post-election.
Highlighting their areas of focus, the chairman said they will be considering whether the election was conducted in an environment that allows for credible and fair elections such as whether voters were free to express their will, media impartiality, and whether the whole process such as counting and results process is transparent.
In addition, he stated that after the process, they will report on whether the election was conducted in accordance with the standards to which the country has committed itself, including its national law, regional and international commitments.
The Chairman noted: “In conducting our duties, we will be guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, objectivity, and independence. As we are here in our individual capacities as responsible and experienced Commonwealth citizens, our assessment will be our own, and not that of any member government”.
He stated that in the coming days, they will be meeting with stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, government representatives, political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, citizens and international observer groups, diplomats, and the media.
Osinbajo urged the leadership of political parties to ensure there is peace throughout the electioneering process; he stated that “We enjoin all political parties and their supporters to uphold the commitments of the Electoral Pledge to free, fair and violence-free elections, admirably signed to barely two weeks ago”.
He asked registered voters to exercise their democratic rights on Election Day, encouraging them to do their part to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (21/06/23)
