The European Union, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States Embassy and some other development partners have provided over 10 million US Dollars for the June 2023 elections.

Making the disclosure to the public at the New Brookfields Hotel, the Minister of Finance, Ahmed Sheku Fantamadi Bangura said the money will be used for the proper preparation of the forthcoming multi-tier elections in June.

The Minister said that there will be a weekly disbursement of NL20,000 from the consolidated fund into a special fund for the election as the government’s support.

He added this financial support by the government is in addition to previous ones provided in 2022 to the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), Office of National Security (ONS) and Central Intelligence and Security Unit (CISU) for the proper coordination of the June 2023 elections.

During the stakeholders meeting, the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Konneh outlined the progress they have made in the past months and promised that his office will work diligently to achieve what is required of them as an electoral institution.

Speaking on the provision of intelligence and security, the Chief of Staff of ONS, Francis Languba Kellie that his office has mapped out strategies to provide intelligence and proper security for the elections.

He added that the ONS will hold education sessions with the public through the media and community engagement.

Sierra Leone will go to the polls on the 24th of June 2023 to choose their local, parliamentary and presidential leaders after five years.

Political analysts and religious leaders believe that the process will be marred with violence if proper structures are not put in place for the elections.