Police Vehicle Ban, Low Women Representation Questioned
The European Union Election Observation Mission, the Commonwealth Observer Group for the 2018 Elections and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) have all referred to the just concluded elections as fair, transparent and credible, but further stated that are highly concerned about the issues of the police vehicular ban on polling day and the low representation of women in the political space.
They recommended that the police vehicle ban be reviewed in subsequent elections as, according to them, there should be no restriction when it comes to people exercising their franchise.
Whiles presenting the position of the Commonwealth Observer Group on the polls, His Excellency, John Duramani Mahama, stated that they have not got reports of people not being able to vote due to the vehicular ban, but they are sure that the ban could have disenfranchised a number of people, especially the aged and vulnerable groups in society.
The former president stated that gender parity and democracy are two sides of the same coin and encouraged Government to do more to include more women in the political space.
The three groups were headed by eminent personalities within Africa and Europe. They are the Chief Observer of the European Union Observer Mission, Jean Lambert, a British Member of Parliament and former presidents of Ghana and Nigeria, His Excellencies John Duramani Mahama and Goodluck Jonathan.
The respective preliminary reports, by all three organizations, did not include the tallying and final announcement of results. They commended Sierra Leoneans for hugely participating in the process, which they referred to as highly inclusive, participatory, peaceful and transparent.
Others issues highlighted in all the reports included huge citizens’ observation in the process.
“Despite numerous challenges, the National Election Commission delivered what is assessed so far as a transparent, credible and well organized electoral process… Sierra Leonean voters demonstrated their will to consolidate democracy in their country,” the reports stated.
Despite these challenges, their reports however stated that these few and isolated issues could not negatively impact on the credible conduct of the polls. They are expected to provide comprehensive reports on the process few months after the announcement of the winner.
It could be recalled that all three organizations had deployed Short and Long Term Observers in all parts of the country to monitor pre and post election activities. Their reports catalogued a number of challenges, ranging from political campaigns marred by lack of trust, intimidation and increased violence, a polarized media, vehicle restriction on polling day, to name but a few.
The endorsement of the polls is coming at a time when all opposition parties are questioning the credibility of the polls.