By Alpha Abu
Days after the EU Election Follow Up Mission’s critical assessment on the conduct of four key government institutions, two of those named, the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) and the National Electoral Commission (NEC) have issued separate statements, contesting the EU report. PPRC stated: “That the Mission did not disclose the sources of their information nor did they provide the data or evidence that informed their conclusions on the Commission. Such disclosure would not have only tended to be best practice, but also assisted the public, in their appreciation of the context of those information”.
The Commission registered its concern that the Mission failed to adhere to the principle of natural justice that requires the other party to be heard. PPRC says “detractors abound” who would peddle misconceptions of the EU statement to further their “personal political interests”.
“We are fearful that, statements like these, from a key development partner, could be vexatiously used by sore losers, on all sides of the political divide, to dispute the outcome of the 2023 elections, in any event”.
NEC in its reaction to the EU report, acknowledged it “ has been working assiduously to either respond to the concerns raised” over the years by development partners such as the Commonwealth, AU, ECOWAS, Carter Foundation and NEW over all the post-conflict democratic elections.
“We were taken aback on the EU Election Follow-Up Mission’s focus on the conduct of the Local Council Bye elections in Koinadugu District rather than considering the national outlook or bigger picture of the Commission’s activities in terms of successes and other programmes on course”, NEC said. The Electoral body stated investigations have been done into the elections in question and would soon present findings and recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. NEC’s response detailed the restructuring process it had initiated over the years to transform and “strengthen electoral processes” and improve staff recruitment, devoid of tribal bias, whilst also improving their conditions of service. NEC reiterated its independence as enshrined in the constitution of Sierra Leone and that it is in tune with international standards and best practise.
The Sierra Leone Police and Judiciary were also criticised in the EU report that was released to journalists at a briefing by the Mission held at the Brookfields hotel last Friday. The highly contested report which indicated lack of public trust in the four institutions has polarised public opinion about its sourcing, sincerity and validity.
The Sierra Leone Police as we went to Press late Thursday evening, also released a documented response to the EU report. It stated they have successfully policed Four Parliamentary and Presidential Elections with peaceful transition of political power that got acclaimed nationally and internationally. The Police also said they have collaborated with Election Management Bodies at all levels.
Copyright © Politico Online (05/11/21)
