2023 Elections: Tension Over Delayed Polls in Parts of Sierra Leone

Numerous reports have reached us that there is high tension in some centres as polls  across the country have been delayed due circumstances attributed to the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).

Sierraloaded found out that several centres in the Western Rural and Urban Districts are yet to start voting. For instance, voters at Centre 16138 on Grant Lane via Metzger Lane were seen clustered on the stair case of a local mosque disgruntled over delay from staff of the ECSL.

Voters at centre 16148 at St. Joseph’s Primary school on Howe Street in Freetown are left stranded in the queue. Meanwhile, centre 16147 in the same school has commenced voting at around 8 this morning.

One of the voters who want to remain anonymous said staff of the Commission are doing little ameliorate the situation with voters becoming impatient.

video has surfaced with voters chanting “we want to vote”.

Also, delay was reported at Trinity School Centre 16130 on Kissy Road where voting was said not to have commenced up to 8:30 in the morning.

There were reports of lateness of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials at Kaningo in Freetown.

Meanwhile, reports also indicate that voting was ongoing well in other polling units including Kamatakha polling centre at Karene.

Also, locals in Kenema and Port Loko have commended ECSL for their effort to begin early in a smooth and peaceful atmosphere.

The ECSL said there are 11,832 polling stations with 3,630 polling centres nationwide.

3.3 million voters in Sierra Leone are going to the polls to elect president, parliamentarian, local council chairman/mayor and councillor in all 16 districts of the country.