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The Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commision for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mohammed Konneh has made a statement addressing issues affecting the timely payment of all Polling staff via an online audio broadcast.
Since June, payments to over 8,000 election workers remain pending. In a previous statement, the commission attributed the delay to organizational challenges. However, in August, the ECSL unveiled a verification system for these workers, assuring that after this procedure, they would receive a unique “password” on their phones to claim their dues from any Sierra Leone commercial bank.
Although the Commission announced on Monday, September 18 that the verification process is now complete, several polling staff are yet to be paid.
In his widely-shared audio message, Konneh began by expressing gratitude towards all Ward Coordinators for their dedication and commitment. He commended their significant role in ensuring the June 23 Elections were both peaceful and transparent. He highlighted that since collaborating with the coordinators, multiple successful payments have been made for tasks ranging from voter registration to card issuance without any issues.
Konneh clarified, “For the payment of the Polling Staff, the responsibility lies with the UNDP—a multilateral fund. Originally, we planned for online mobile payments. However, the UNDP stipulated verification prerequisites before executing these payments, leading to the implementation of the mobile verification system. Over the past fortnight, they’ve managed to verify over 8,000 individuals, leaving around 1,000 unverified.”
He acknowledged the slower-than-expected pace of the process, which prompted the decision to send staff to the field to expedite verification. Over a recent weekend, teams met with Ward Coordinators, urging them to relay this information to the polling staff for their participation in the verification.
However, Konneh voiced his dissatisfaction with some Ward Coordinators, accusing them of intentionally obstructing the process. He emphasized that while their initial contract duration has been extended by a month—with consideration for another extension—some appear to be undermining their efforts. He warned polling staff that this might be their final opportunity for payment processing.
Furthermore, Konneh indicated that they’ve pinpointed those causing disruptions. He stated, “Based on their audio messages and identities, we’re well aware of the culprits.” He stressed that the Commission won’t hesitate to let the law take its course if necessary.
I have not yet received own message yet am patiently waiting for my payment
What is the final date for payment of polling staff. I want to know
As Vio l have yet received my own
Surely the system of this late payment of staffs is becoming alarming.
Election results have been pronounced long since and many people loaned in order to get to different stations of work.
Most of us have even visited chiefs for people’s money.
Am please appealing that the commission should do all in their possible power to ensure payment this week
Our alerts are the only comfort for us all
The same old stories bo we are fed up n tired
There is no confidence in this press release. No date for the payment. Ooo ECSL.
Meaning on to these time no schedule date for the payment alright.
Dear. ECSL please Note today you have the energy to destroy our house hold by allowing us to lend money from our community people to do your job
Now we left with shameless in our neighborhood , hoping that when you pay us we’ll settle where we lend to do the process then you fail to settle us
Instead u give us fake hope’s,
If what you people did to us u think it’s well with us, just keep on trying you will see the rewards of it in the lives of your various families by God grace Allah will take action against you and your families
As you know not for what you have to pay us, but for the break of relationship between those that normally lend us to settle our family affairs more especially for us who is in the villages our lives is suffering now you break trust with us our people now calling us debtors
We have no power to fight you but God will fight you and your entire generations, you people taking care of yourself and your families why not we
This is an inhuman treatment it is undone. We worked for the interest of the country and yet they leaders are turning blind eyes on us yet they’re paying the candidate’s that won the various positions while those that conducted the election has left abandoned. I have promised myself i will never in my life work for ECSL in the future again. God is watching us all.
I worked as Presding Officer and I have being verified since August but up til now no alert yet so please I urge Commissioner to please try to pay us now.we are tried with press release.thanx
I have not received any payment neither alert from anyone
As B P I,I have not received any message concerning the payment, please try to pay we the workers we have suffer slot for this money
Pujehun district, we haven’t yet
All is just trashy, Mr commissioner do you know how we suffered to enriched you and your family? If you are doing the right thing with us prosperity will judge you and your entire staff and family that we worked for.
Another flatter in in regard UNDP and ECSL
Ai God bo. Ow we country pwell so? US Millions were made available for the election. Those corrupt, thieving, alaki corrupt officials who wanted some of that, have stolen their own. Meanwhile, workers are stil waiting to be paid. Is Konneh still waiting for his salary? Wow!
ECSL konneh SLPP you are just bragging without stating anytime to pay our brothers and sisters who undergo series of intimidation during pooling day,but someone of us knew very well that your government didn’t have any money 💰 to pay then you are busing casting blames on individuals what a big shame to you.the worst commissioner in the history of sierraleone 🇸🇱🇸🇱
This whole system is just a fake payment how can you verify people twice before receiving your Alert and verify after receiving your Alert before you receive your money. And up to now some of us don’t receive our money because of the wick and fraud system
This simply shows that the election was not credible or free and fair😀😃😄
Our politicians are all selfish they only care about them self, it has past three months since we conducted the elections but yet still they are unable to pay us casting blames on UNDP but they were able to pay there political observers hmm what a wicked country but God will judge you for your wickedness.
Good morning sir, please help me out because haven’t received my money neither have I been told were to go, I worked at Hamilton as BBC 1. I will also like to know if the process of changing numbers is still going on because I will like to change the number I gave been that my afrimoney card is no longer blocked.