In a bid to ensure that every registered citizens exercise their right to vote in the upcoming general elections, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has commenced early voting for Muslim pilgrims across the country. 

The opportunity allows pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land of Mecca to cast their ballots before embarking on their religious pilgrimage.

According to a press release issued by the ECSL, the early voting process is being conducted in accordance with the powers conferred by Section 33 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, as well as the Public Elections Act, 2022, and The Public Elections (Early Voting) Regulations, 2023.

The voting period for the presidential election began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

Registered voters who have applied for early voting can visit the ECSL’s District Office in the District Headquarter town where they are registered to cast their ballots.

The Commission has also extended an invitation to political parties and observers who wish to observe the process, urging them to contact the External Relations Department for accreditation.

The ECSL has further announced that the counting of early voting ballots will take place at the last polling stations of designated polling centers on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the close of polls.

The list of designated polling centers for early voting is provided below: