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Albert Massaquoi, the Director of External Relations at the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), during the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) deliberation, says that the Commission may likely use over twenty three thousand observers in the June 24th 2023 elections in Sierra Leone if other political parties apply for more observers. He said during his PowerPoint slide presentation before stakeholders at the PPLC meeting that the allocation for political parties is 180,000 at the district level.
According to him other Political Parties may apply if they need more observers, not above two at each polling station at the district level during the elections.
National Observers will be allocated 20,000; International Observers 1,000 and the Media 2,000 totaling 23,000 for that day if there will be no increase.
He moved on to explained further the process:
“Electoral Commission may accredit an applicant to observe an election after considering the application taking into consideration information provided by the applicant on whether the observers group will promote conditions conducive for free, fair election; ensure that the person appointed by the applicant will observe the elections impartially and independent of any registered political party or candidate contesting the election; be competent and professional in observing the elections; subscribe to the code of conduct of observers issued by the Electoral Commission”
The APC Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya suggested that the International observers (third party) be given the opportunity to see the final results including the political parties.
However, ECSL refused stating that third parties have no hands on the final results, adding that the elections are to be conducted by Sierra Leone and not them.
