By Politico Staff Writer
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity (WADEMOS) Network is in Sierra Leone to conduct a pre-assessment mission to enhance the credibility and integrity of elections. According to a press statement published by the group dated 11th May 2023, the team has already commenced a solidarity mission in the country.
The release stated that the purpose of the pre-election solidarity mission which started on the 15th and will end on the 19th of May 2023 is to provide an opportunity for civil society groups in West Africa to work collectively and across borders with stakeholders at the national and regional level to enhance the credibility and integrity of elections in the sub-region.
It explained that WADEMOS supports elections in West Africa by producing evidence from election assessments carried out in missions, capacity building on democracy and elections, and support for post-election review for electoral reforms. It added that the Network also shares its findings on the preparations for the election with all stakeholders.
WADEMOS in the release explained that despite the increasing acceptance of democratic elections in Africa which according to the network is good for the continent, it stated that “The quality of these elections remains a recurring concern for many. Elections continue to face challenges including mistrust between political parties, citizens and Election Management Bodies, inaccurate voter register, election-related violence and in recent times the failure of technology”.
The release explained that whilst in Sierra Leone, the team seeks to hold discussions with the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone, the media, civil society organizations, development partners, the National Security Agency, and Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone among others.
“The delegation will climax its activities with a press briefing and roundtable discussion to reflect on the challenges and prospects for the election and opportunities for democratic consolidation in West Africa” a part reads.
It revealed that the mission is coordinated by the WADEMOS Network members in Sierra Leone, which includes National Election Watch, (NEW), Campaign for Good Governance, and the Institute for Governance Reform. The statement added that the team carried out the same activity during Nigeria’s general elections.
The election observation team comprises representatives and member organizations from the Women in Politics Forum (Nigeria), Center for Democratic Governance (Liberia), CDD-West Africa (Nigeria), Yiaga Africa (Nigeria), West Africa Election Organization Network (WAEON) (Regional), and the WADEMOS Secretariat in Ghana.
The WADEMOS is a non-partisan, independent, civil society-led transnational democracy solidarity network, which consists of over 35 civil society organizations (CSOs) located in 15 countries in West Africa.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (17/05/23)
