Anxiety Grips State House as European Union Set to Release 2023 Elections Report

In Sierra Leone, the State House is gripped by anxiety as the forthcoming European Union 2023 election report looms.

The United States has openly cast doubts on the election’s legitimacy, even imposing travel bans on those suspected of election fraud.

Both the U.S. and international organizations are pressing the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to disclose detailed election results by polling stations, a request that ECSL has yet to address, sparking international concern. During his visit to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Bio accused the U.S. of meddling by requesting a delay in announcing the election results, straining diplomatic relations.

These allegations have placed President Bio in a precarious global position, with some nations withholding financial support until transparent results emerge. Amid the ongoing election dispute, Sierra Leonean citizens are urging the international community to hold election manipulators accountable, likening their actions to coup attempts.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), and other local organizations, including the National Elections Watch (NEW), all contest the election’s credibility, asserting it doesn’t reflect the people’s will. Opposition members claim that their party representatives were obstructed from participating in the election, particularly in the South-East regions, denying them access to accurate polling center information.

International observers highlight irregularities and inconsistencies in the vote tabulation process, painting a picture of an election outcome that doesn’t align with the desires of Sierra Leoneans, who are grappling with hunger amid this turmoil.

Despite the serious allegations against ECSL and the government, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government is reportedly anxious about the impending EU report. Speculation suggests that the EU’s report might recommend a rerun of the election, as the June 24th results could undermine democracy if not rectified.

Citizens stress the importance of holding election manipulators accountable, equating them to coup plotters, a grave offense that should not escape scrutiny by the EU, UK, US, and ECOWAS, as it threatens civilian rule.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

| 2023-10-10 14:50:49

I think APC is not mindful of what and what to do instead of publishing all sort of lies and propaganda publication over social media. While their party was not serious in campaigning to the people of this country, hoping the international community will give them the election result as winners. Sit down and fold your hands between your leg hoping on international community to appoint you as president of this country.
| 2023-10-10 09:47:09

Which part of the world have you ever heard or seen after an election result announce and that result condemned by international community and a rerun took place? The highest court in any country only has the mandate to reversed an election result announced. Let us stop fooling gullable supporters . The international community has nothing to do in the June 24 election result announced.
| 2023-10-08 20:44:17

When did Sierra Leone mortgage its sovereignty to the EU such that State House would be anxious or have sleepless nights over an ‘observation’ report? In global sphere, the EU is a light weight, and no one takes its opinion seriously. An organization that has Le France as its core member is not of interest Africa.
| 2023-10-08 17:18:10

The EU or any other observers for that matter will only report on its observations of the election and from lies fed to them by disgruntled forces that are still smarting from defeat. The EU point of view does not matter at this stage. The EU does not have the capability, legally or otherwise, to report on the results of the election. Their obervation report will be taken with a pinch of salt as it will be subjective and un-factual,
| 2023-10-08 12:23:24

Julius maada bio is a big disappointed to the citizens of Sierra Leone. He is a selfish human, and never respected his words. I’m on knees right now begging the Eu, US, Uk etc to enforce democracy in Sierra Leone. I’m not talking just only for Maada Bio but, for who ever step in power/ voted by the citizens need to function well. All Mende, Fullah, limbs etc we are one people so treat us equally Sierra Leone citizens!..
MAMOUD ALHAJI KAMARA | 2023-10-07 23:45:05

Maada must GO
| 2023-10-07 23:02:12

Konneh's crime against the people of Sierra Leone is unforgivable! He has committed a treasonous offense and should be treated as such to deter any other ECSL boss who would also want to do same in the future.
| 2023-10-07 21:59:45

The Maada Bio evil plan is not against Sierra leonean but you because he is not your tribal brother right.
| 2023-10-07 21:56:32

The EU and the USA are still not satisfy of exploiting Africa that is the reason they always set us ablaze and pretend so that can have the better chance to still from us. We are OK With our government. Those few criminals who ruined in country to civil war and gave you the chance to still all our minerals and leave us stranded are the same people the EU, UN, ECOWAs are backing for deals.
Eshaka Kamara | 2023-10-07 20:38:33

Eu, UK, US, and ECOWAS please help mama salone because we the people of Sierra Leone we are suffering under this maada bio's government
| 2023-10-07 19:19:44

God we thank u what you're done for us, we need transparency accountable and democracy in this country, this thing most stop in Africa giving position those who are not dersive.
Lawal | 2023-10-07 17:06:00

I personally don't know why anxiety should grip the State House, when whatever they are going to say, is not new. They can only echo what they have said previously. For all the jubilant out there, it says here, REPORT and not RESULTS will be released. So please think about your excitement. If you are wishing for a re-run of the June election, then it is only going to be possible in year 2028. From what I can see here and up till to day, is that the APC are the ones still trying to steal an election they knew they never won. I don't know why people keep saying that ECSL should release the election results by polling stations, when ECSL has done so the very night they counted the ballot papers and handed the signed copies to all party agents, observers and the likes who were present on the night. These results were also posted on the walls of the polling stations. So, what exactly are these APCs asking for? Do you now see why ECSL is not even listening to you people? The only people who have doubts about the election were the EU, USA and NEW and we know why. Please my people, it's time to grow up and accept your defeat, give peace a chance and let the country move on. The International community knows that Sierra Leoneans are not sober, that's why they are just looking at us and laughing.
Patrick Williams | 2023-10-07 16:43:28

Why is the EU, USA, UK, and ECOWAS become one-sided , APC did not campaign all over the country not even 1/2 how should they win the election , the lnternational community investigate and stop taking advantage of the government because thy want the APC to give them contact to take advantage of the country nature reserve, this is complete disgrace them as international bodies and Sierra Leone is a sovereign state. With all the problems during and past in America election ,why the international community did not interfere because Sierra Leone is in Africa
Mohamed Kamara | 2023-10-07 15:11:50

In Sierra Leone the refusal of the ECSL Commissioner to release the results according to polling stations and polling centers with the RRF forms as requested by National and International community people is equivalent to a coup plot or treason. The ECSL Commissioner is bigger than the Sierra Leone and he is just one out of over right million people in this country. Honestly speaking, if Maada Bio does not want the people of this county to continue their sufferings, he would have asked Konneh to release the results according to the demands of the people of Sierra Leone and the International community observers. Konneh is seriously under the command and dictate of Maada Bio. Konneh knew that the Elections were not in favour of Maada Bio and told Maada Bio outrightly. Everybody in Sierra Leone knew that Konneh was under Threats and had to pronounce Maada Bio winner or else Konneh would have been dead by now. This is the FACT of the matter. For this country to move ahead, the International community people have to have to take the bold step of telling Maada Bio to allow Konneh to publish the results according to the demands of the people of Sierra Leone and the International community people. This or else Sierra Leoneans will have to continue their sufferings under the dictatorial regime of Maada Bio. Maada Bio's evil plans against the people of Sierra Leone were many. Another way to remove Maada Bio from this country is to make sure that the ICC Prosecutor orders his immediate arrest. These are the only ways Sierra Leoneans can regain their political freedom and once again enjoy our democratic rights.
| 2023-10-07 14:04:20

The end will justify the mean. There are two facets that I may envisage 1. Either democracy died in Sierra Leone (SLPP buried it alive by not letting the right thing to be done as a result of the cooked up elections results) 2. Or democracy revive in Sierra Leone by doing the right thing and also allowing the people's will to reflect the outcome of the elections. As a patriotic citizen number two is the best option
Ebrahim Sorie Dawo | 2023-10-07 13:40:33

In Sierra Leone , there are two grips that have placed us to quagmire and hullabaloo. One is EGO and the other is NOT LET IT GO. In all of the above, the masses are forced to be in more suffering. The impasse of election outcomes as disputed by many factions should be dialogue in a win win situation, else we continue to suffer.