According to a release from the Freetown-based National Election Watch(NEW)the July 5th, 2008 Local council election has ended in Sierra Leone free of violence but the turnout was disappointingly low in every part of the country.
NEW says: "It is important to note that voters did not turn out in the expected numbers, and we feel this is an issue that is important and should be taken note of by government, other stakeholders and development partners."
NEW fielded approximately 3200 observers from civil society groups around the country. The release says they were in practically every polling centre and were able to observe the voting process.
"We used SMS in a summary of results of the checklist from a national sample of stations and this information along with the incident reports from each district inform this briefing," the release added.
The organization praised the National Electoral Commission (NEC) which it says conducted a credible process for election day.
"NEW commends NEC and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) for their hard work and coordination."
In most polling stations, according to NEW, voters were properly identified by their voter ID cards before voting and inked after. Also in most polling stations ballot papers were issued properly by NEC and voting procedures were properly conducted at the polling stations. For the most part vote counting was orderly and transparent and without interruptions.
NEW noted that although campaign materials were supposed to be removed in a few polling stations it was observed that campaign materials were nearby and that "undue influence" was observed in a few polling stations where unauthorized individuals directed voters within the polling centre or polling station. The presence of The President and the First Lady, a few Cabinet and Resident Ministers, some Parliamentarians and some Paramount Chiefs, Political Parties and party stalwarts were observed in a few polling stations.
NEW reported 32 minor incidents across the country which, for the most part, were resolved quickly.
This is a preliminary report based on the information gathered thus far. A final report will be produced within the coming weeks that will give detailed figures and analysis of the electoral process. NEW will also make recommendations for future elections and for the legislative framework of NEC’s mandate and local government.
NEW, a domestic coalition of civic and professional groups, has observed and reported on the local council electoral process implemented by the NEC, including campaign period and election day.
Meanwhile information reaching us from Sierra Leone states that the ruling APC did very well in the North and the Western Area while the opposition SLPP did the same in the south and most of the East. We will bring you more reliable election details after the NEC press conference slated for Monday July 7.
Photo: National Election Watch chairperson Canadian-born Frances Fortune and market women in Freetown.
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