APC Registers Frustration Against ECSL & NCRA
By Mustapha Dumbuya
Dr. Kaifala Marah, the Co-chairman of the Tripartite Committee, has informed journalists that both the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) have delayed submitting documents requested by the Committee.
This was during a press conference held by members of the Tripartite Committee on Wednesday 24 April, 2024 at the All people’s Congress Party Headquarters in Freetown.
“The Committee, comprised of the African Union, Commonwealth, ECOWAS, the Sierra Leone National Peace Commission to mediate between the All People’s Congress and the Government of Sierra Leone” Dr. Marah said.
He added that the Committee has formally requested documents from both ECSL and NCRA twice, regarding the conduct of June 24 Sierra Leone national elections, but they are yet to receive any documents from them.
Dr. Marah stated that the U.S. and German governments have invested significant resources to implement recommendations following the review process, set to begin soon.
Boniface Sidikie Kamara, representing the APC on the Committee, emphasized that their mandate is to collect data and conduct surveys within all election management bodies in Sierra Leone. Their aim is to address issues in the electoral process from 2018 to date, and find solutions.
Their focus includes evaluating ECSL’s internal policies, decision-making guidelines, recruitment, training, and staff promotion processes and so on.
He confirmed that out of the 45 documents needed, they have requested 35 from ECSL, such as press releases, stakeholder conference communiques, election observer mission reports, district block system engagement reports, ECSL and polling manuals, HR and financial administrative manuals, tallying procedures, and logbooks, particularly those concerning Presidential results.
Mr. Sidikie Kamara stressed the importance of rectifying errors made by election management bodies, particularly ECSL, to prevent their recurrence.
According to him the Committee’s overarching goal is to ensure fair and transparent elections in Sierra Leone by addressing and resolving these issues.