By Mabinty M. Kamara
The National Elections Watch (NEW) has called on the public to be patient with the current anomalies encountered in the ongoing voter registration process, noting that they will engage the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone (ECSL) for immediate action.
“NEW encourages the public to exercise patience as we engage the ECSL and other stakeholders to address the current challenges with the registration equipment,” a press statement updating the public about their observation of the process reads in part.
The ECSL last Saturday kicked off the voter registration process for eligible voters ahead of the June 2023 elections in Sierra Leone.
However, the first week of the registration process has seen many complaints from the public in relation to the efficiency of the process which has been slated to end on the 4th of October 2022.
The Press Statement by the election Observation body noted late arrival of registration materials and staff at some centres, lack of proper communication in terms of the centres that will be opened for the first phase, malfunctioning of the registration kits, and the presence of politicians at registration centres to campaign, all happening in the first week.
Therefore, NEW called on the ECSL to take immediate action in addressing the challenges experienced with the VIU820 and VVK equipment, and undertake an audit of all centres across the country
and ensure remedial measures.
As a way of avoiding future reoccurrence of the issues highlighted, the elections observation body recommended that the ECSL undertake a pilot testing of all equipment and processes before
implementation
the statement also called on the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) to monitor and continue to engage political parties to adhere to the
provisions in the Electoral laws especially on campaigns.
Notwithstanding the challenges, ECSL officials at a press conference on Wednesday 7th September 2022 said a total of Four hundred and fifteen thousand four hundred and sixty-five (415,465) people had registered as of 6th September this year, a figure they say they were pleased with in terms of turnout.
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