In a recent press release dated June 18, 2024, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has provided an update on the disbursement of payments to ad-hoc polling staff engaged for the 2023 multi-tier elections.

According to the release, ECSL has issued a total of 48,229 e-vouchers to ad-hoc polling staff. Out of these, 34,164 personnel have successfully claimed their payments by the initial deadline in March 2024. However, more than 14,000 individuals have yet to claim their payments.

To address this, ECSL has collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and enlisted the services of Africell to expedite the remaining payments. Africell has initiated communication via SMS to all ad-hoc staff members, providing them with instructions on how to claim their payments along with individual e-voucher codes.

Ad-hoc staff members are instructed to bring their mobile phones containing the SMS received from Africell, as well as a valid government-issued ID (such as a national identity card, voter ID card, driver’s license, passport, etc.) for verification purposes.

The ECSL expressed gratitude towards all ad-hoc polling staff for their dedicated service, cooperation, and patience throughout the payment process. To ensure all outstanding payments are completed promptly, ECSL and its partners have set a final deadline of June 21, 2024, for the completion of all transactions.