United States Raises Concern Over Irregularities in Sierra Leone Election Results

The United States in a press statement today 14 July 2023, through the spokesperson, Mathew Miller, continues to raise concerns about irregularities in the election results announced by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).

The release stated that “Independent parallel vote tabulations and analyses by accredited national and international observation missions raise questions about the integrity of the official results.”

The Department of State calls on the government to conduct an outside investigation. “We call on the government to institute an independent, outside investigation of the elections process and integrate observer recommendations to improve the electoral modalities for future elections.”

In the statement, they advise against threats towards certain individuals and entities saying “We are also disturbed by the reports of intimidation – including death threats – against domestic and international observers, civil society organizations, and ECSL personnel. We call on all actors to exercise restraint and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes.”

In the end, they commend Sierra Leoneans for coming out and voting peacefully and urge the government and political parties to protect democracy and rights of individuals.

“The resolve and determination of Sierra Leoneans who went out to the polls on June 24 to make their voices heard was inspiring. Free and fair elections are essential for any democracy. The government and political parties must commit to strengthening democratic institutions to better protect the rights and reflect the aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone.”

Comment(s)

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

Truth | 2023-07-16 16:09:48

Here is an irregularity. Not until after Sierra Leone Independence did African's stolen from Sierra Leone have the right to vote in America (1965).
| 2023-07-16 12:40:22

I’m worried about what this country is turning to. When Marcella Samba Sesay announced in 2018 that the presidential election was going to a run-off nobody complained that she was doing it in favor of someone or aid-money from the US because politicians who are now blaming her were benefiting from that perspective of her observation mission. All of a sudden things have changed when Marcella’s announcement is now not in favor of the same politicians who had once benefited from the work she knows how to do best. Allah save this nation. Why are we not honest to our conscience? We see something wrong yet we are doing our best to discredit the work of reputable institutions just to hide our dirty linens
Skul boy | 2023-07-16 10:56:12

The most corrupted president ever in Sierra Leone is Bio. He goes against the constitution of the state, he is not constitutionalism. There is no freedom of speech in our country no more, if you speak the truth in his governance, you are a dead person. Biden is saying the true nothing but the truth. We don't have democracy in the republic of Sierra Leone. Mohammed konneh the is disgrace to our nation.
| 2023-07-16 10:15:01

Brown envelope nor dea eegain , so wuna disgruntled, dis day n age wudat care about wuna fake propaganda, Leh Biden published ihn yone rigged results from dea last election fuss, before e get foot for stand for talk about democracy n transparency. Salone election was the most peaceful and transparent election amongst the three countries that have election on that 24th June 2023, aroud the word, so go with your ideal self and do your research properly. President Bio Tok n Do was elected by the generational thinking Sierra Leoneans so shall it be. Let me be clear on this to all our APCian brothers and sisters even heaven is rejoicing for the choice of the people. Who do you think you are to question that?As for Mercella Sambas and her so called cabal, we have this message for them Africa is seek and disgusting with people like them. There's no place for their selfish motives anymore. Enough is enough. Paopa Salone don betteh ma under President Bio Tok n Do 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
| 2023-07-16 06:53:56

We already had same Independent International Observers who monitored the election process. Where are their reports and did they say? Free and fair. America is not a World Decission making body by it self anyway. After all Biden Elections results are still being disputed by Trump. Let them sort that out first. Or better still, let them come and conduct their own Independent Investigation. President Bio and Salone Government dont have finds for that. No Political party in a Sierra Leone has so far challenged the elections results LEGALLY!!
Mustapha Kamara | 2023-07-15 11:59:42

The same people president Bio has been trying to launder our image with. millions of $ were supposedly spent to make Sierra Leone's image look good. Now these same people are telling you that the elections are not credible. What responsibility are you taking now? Either you lied about your travels or about the elections or both. The world would only see you for what you really are.
Donifo Haimeh | 2023-07-15 10:48:21

Every comment on the Sierra Leone elections says the people voted peacefully. The election results were posted and pinned at every polling station. At the ECSL the opposition called for manual counting not electronic. As if that was not enough they launched another demand that they should use projectiles. NEW then quickly came up with the results of 747 polling stations and claim that there will be a runoff. There were more than 1100 more polling stations to be counted. As counting continued NEW and EU, became jittery because the incumbent was heading for victory without runoff. Their escape route to justify the money syphoned from international organisations was to hang on transparency and tabulation of data. There was a $ 2.8 million waiting to be disbursed to NEW if there was going to be a runoff. That is in addition to the $1.5 million disbursed to NEW earlier before the elections. This noise about irregularities can from NEW big time and anchored by the EU. Marcella Macauley Samba has long left the shores of Sierra Leone, she says she is going for medical treatment suffering from obesity. So, let's forge ahead this government is legitimate and is poised to deliver. We are no longer daffodils but quick-thinking and result-oriented Sierra Leoneans.
Aquila Pris Kamara | 2023-07-15 10:04:56

May God help us in Sierra Leone, we are just selfish to ourselves in this country, but the end will justify the means.
Pastor M Sesay | 2023-07-15 08:33:48

The simple truth is that most of these western world depends greatly on the mineral of Africa countries. They want to exploit more through fake governance of APC like beforehand because they are not patriotic citizens of Sierra Leone. Most Sierra Leoneans are in their countries suffering to earn their living, some without status and facing discrimination, yet Africa don't want to unite why? APC has never won elections genuinely in Sierra Leone only through their 99 + tactics used for all past elections, failing to know that God only have all the authorities under his control and not man. Do not forget that all those ranting causing troubles are those who were sent abroad by APC with stolen money from our country meant for even the unborn generation to come. I don't even know Maada Bio, the president in power, and his wife facially but speaking the truth about the welfare of our land matters to me most and not politics because of my own personal profit/gains in return. All the so-called EU, USA, including others who are in hiding to undermind our elections, can they openly tell us what were, and are their planned goals to achieve this time which can't be possible with our Maada Bio a man with his words and fear of God? They have failed and forever will fail through the mighty powers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen. Please read the book of Daniel and interpret it to yourself, or go to church for pastors to enlighten you in regards. They don't want any other country, mostly Africa, that will challenge development for futures, but to remain begging from them and their children being used under the civilised slave trade in their developed countries. I am not afraid of what they think, only fear God for what he can do in his powers. Be worn, for no one person can quench the anger of God. Goodbye, and stay focused.
| 2023-07-15 08:02:27

Mohamed jabbie really you nr get sence
| 2023-07-15 07:11:51

That why Africa is always behind because we don't have sympathy for the masses
| 2023-07-15 06:52:56

What about 2012 election what happened to it,the result was still continued to comes the Eletorial Commimessioner go ahead an announce the result,at the end she said to go at the police ,president Bio took the matter to court ,they throw the case nothing was done ,but why now? Always you should be in governance not be patience pls.
| 2023-07-15 06:50:05

America themselves are not practicing democracy. The Election between Clinton and Trumph was rigged and Trump won. Donald Trump never accepted the result unto this day. How they want to preach what they are not practicing? Sierra Leone is an independent and sovereign nation. Our constitution online tabulation procedure not America. Let them keep their congratulatory message. These people are hypocrite. They love seeing us fighting each other.
Hannah | 2023-07-15 00:26:53

Let President Byden show us the congratulatory letter or message he got from Donald Trump.
| 2023-07-15 00:23:58

How do you want us to build sierra leone
Lawal Smith | 2023-07-15 00:12:38

As a concern citizen of the free and fair world, where everything is perfect, I urge the USA to conduct an investigation into their November 2020 election. It has come to our notice that your election was not free, fair and transparent. And some states results came out more than three weeks late of counting, etc. in order to have a more transparent election in your country in the future and for the satisfaction of every candidates, we shall be sending observers from Africa to help you conduct your elections to avoid the last chaos, that has landed concerned citizens in jail to this day without trial.
Santigie maruff kargbo | 2023-07-14 23:53:15

Crazy you
| 2023-07-14 23:52:09

Baseless assertions. Clueless... Keep crying for another 5 years in the run. Bo, we taya wit una idleness, trust
| 2023-07-14 23:45:32

Did Trump congratulate Biden? Did Trump accept the results of the election? Who is the current president of the United States? Did anyone over turn the result of the election? APC stop fooling yourselves
Abdulai moris Swaray | 2023-07-14 23:44:46

President Bio is a democratic president in Sierra Leone we voted him in and no group or individual can disturb our peace and development in Sierra Leone like what the APC are now doing,in 2007 general election in Sierra Leone the whole of kailahun district vote was voids by the returning official Christina Top,no SLPP supporters go out and strike,they follow the due process go to court, in 2012 general election in Sierra Leone again the same returning official Christina Top called the results at night,and she gave a comment again that we the people should go to Police if we aren't pleased no body went to street again and perform any terroiest act,my question here is with all those conditions or act in both presidential election that was done in 2007 and 2012 with those response to the opposition party SLPP by then ,if it was APC that these happy to them what should have be there action or repication or the Apcian can't bear with opposition,all what I know we voted prezo Bio in democratically no one can touch him un democratically ,the Apcian u are warn
Ishmael Turay | 2023-07-14 23:41:05

Some of wuna dae read but for understand na ein na wuna problem. Na so wuna be dae celebrate with Mellinum Challenge Corporation (MCC) assessment over the years, way mean say the US get ways en manner how den be dae help wuna selfish government but now because of the same selfishness wuna don forget all. If you be understand the wordings properly lek some of wuna party pikin Dem lek you for dae think otherwise.
MedJucieWrld | 2023-07-14 23:38:02

Mohamed Jabbie Congratulations and accept results na two different thing ar kin congratulate u but r nor accept say u pass Ar go just congratulate because den don already pass u don so nor d misunderstood people Dem Navya try go get sense you Mohamed Jabbie u too full Ar don d watch most of u full comment Dem For you Koroma you wae d say na false news just because Sierra loaded post news wae nor dae na u favor u say fake Una lef den style ya
Koroma | 2023-07-14 23:24:45

False news
Abdulai moris Swaray | 2023-07-14 23:23:14

The election was free and fear transparency so as a democratic county we the citizens of sierra Leone are waiting for 2028 for another general election,we voted him in and we love HE Bio
Mohamed Jabbie | 2023-07-14 23:22:45

Bo Trump, sef nor accept Biden em elections. Yet Biden na president. America nor talk anything good about Nigeria, Tinubu na president. Common sense, UN accept results, dat mean America sef dae inside. APC wuna lef dis idleness. Leh we build salone. Wuna do everything waste 5yrs without structure. If wuna nor change strategy, after president Bio, another SLPP go win.