ECOWAS observers have called for calm as Sierra Leone awaits the results of its general elections. Dr. Mohamed Chambas, leading the ECOWAS Observation Mission, has engaged in preventive diplomacy initiatives with key political stakeholders. They have compared notes with counterparts from other international observation missions such as the African Union, the Commonwealth, EU, the West Africa Elders’ Forum, and the Carter Foundation.
Dr. Chambas and H.E. Hailemariam Desalegne Boshe of the AU Mission met with Dr. Mohamed Konneh, Chief Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, to discuss issues arising from the electoral process. The Chief Commissioner informed them that the commission had already started collating ballots ahead of announcing preliminary results.
Voting took place across 3,630 polling centres, with 3,374,258 registered voters participating. Incumbent President Julius Maada Bio, seeking a second term, faced competition from 12 other candidates, including Samura Kamara, the main opposition APC party’s representative.
Although there were isolated incidents of skirmishes, voter agitation, and an attack on polling officials in one district, the elections were relatively peaceful in the majority of the 16 electoral districts. Dr. Chambas also met with officials of Sierra Leone’s Political Party Regulations Commission and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion.
The Head of Mission commended Sierra Leoneans for their high voter turnout and urged all stakeholders, particularly political parties, candidates, and supporters, to exercise patience during the post-election period. The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone was urged to expedite the tabulation process and release preliminary results in a professional and timely manner.
ECOWAS deployed 95 observers for the elections, covering presidential, parliamentary, mayoral, and local council positions. The Mission emphasized the importance of a peaceful and credible electoral process, consolidating post-conflict governance gains, and deepening democracy in the ECOWAS region.
