Carter Center Raises Transparency Concerns in Sierra Leone’s Elections

By: Christian Conteh

The Carter Center, an independent organization that monitors elections around the world, has raised concerns about the transparency of the tabulation process in Sierra Leone’s June 24 election. In a preliminary statement released today, the organization called for calm and urged all Sierra Leoneans to await the final results announced by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).

Highlighting the importance of acting responsibly and in the interest of the country’s people, The Carter Center referred to the Peace Pledge signed by all political parties involved. The organization emphasized the need for transparency and urged key political leaders to uphold the spirit of the pledge.

During election day, The Carter Center deployed a mission that visited 119 polling stations and observed the tallying process in all five centers. Their key findings shed light on various aspects of the election process thus far.

According to the observers, some polling stations experienced delays in opening due to a lack of materials. However, the voting process itself was generally deemed “reasonable” or “very good” in 93% of the observed polling stations. Despite this positive assessment, some prospective voters claimed to be registered at certain polling stations but couldn’t find their names on the lists. In addition, a few polling stations in Freetown faced a shortage of ballot papers, leading to their exhaustion by the mid-afternoon.

The closing and counting procedures at poll stations were observed to be satisfactory, with a 100% positive assessment. However, the tabulation process raised concerns about transparency. The Carter Center observers witnessed broken seals and inappropriately open ballot boxes in three out of the five tally centers, indicating potential irregularities.

To address these issues, The Carter Center issued priority recommendations. They urged that any ballot boxes opened in violation of established procedures and international best practices be set aside for additional scrutiny. The organization emphasized that these ballot boxes should not be included in the final results until a formal, transparent, and inclusive review could establish their credibility.

Furthermore, The Carter Center called on the ECSL to publish detailed results at the polling station level. This would enable cross-verification in accordance with international best practices, enhancing transparency and accountability.

Sierra Leoneans are now anxiously awaiting the announcement of the final election results by the ECSL. The Carter Center’s concerns regarding the transparency of the tabulation process have added to the anticipation, emphasizing the need for a fair and credible outcome. As the nation holds its breath, the hopes of the Sierra Leonean people for a democratic and transparent electoral process remain paramount.