FREETOWN (June 25, 2023) — As the first day of tabulation draws to a close following the June 24 election in Sierra Leone, Carterexpresses concern about reports indicating a lack of transparency during parts of the tabulation process.
Cartercalls for maximum transparency in the days ahead as election officials complete the tabulation of votes and prepare to release final results. In particular, we urge the Election Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) to publish results at the polling station level to allow for cross-verification by party agents, citizens observers, and international observers, and in accordance with international best practices.
Carteralso urges all stakeholders to remain patient as the tabulation and results processes conclude. Only the ECSL can issue final results. We call on political parties not to release data on results gathered by their agents until after the ECSL.
On election day, Carter Center observers witnessed Sierra Leoneans turning out to vote across the country, sometimes waiting hours to do so, in a demonstration of their commitment to democracy. To ensure that the will of the voters is respected, it is essential to ensure maximum transparency and verifiability of the final results.
Carterhas been involved in Sierra Leone’s elections since 2002. For the June 24 elections, the Center deployed observers across all of Sierra Leone’s 16 electoral districts. Carter Center observers have been observing the tabulation process in the five regional centers, maintaining a 24-hours-a-day presence in the Western area and nearly 24 hours a day in other regions.
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Contact: In Atlanta, Maria Cartaya, maria.cartaya@cartercenter.org
In Freetown, Nicholas Jahr, nicholas.jahr@cartercenter.org
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A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, Carterhas helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. Carterwas founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
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