Wednesday, 19th February 2020
The National Electoral Commission with support of the European Union organizes dialogue with key stakeholders to incorporate their perceptions on NEC’s performance in the previous electoral cycle and their expectation for the next elections
Talking points:
• Mr. Acting Chairman of the National Elections Commission, honourable Commissioners, Chairman of PPRC, Resident coordinator of the UN, invited guests and participants, it is an honour to be part to this multi-stakeholders’ dialogue organized by the National Electoral Commission to strengthen strategic planning and management of the forthcoming electoral processes.
• I would like to laude the National Electoral Commission and its Acting Chair in particular, for the decision to undertake this process with transparency and inclusiveness. It takes bold leadership to pause and take a critical look of past achievements (and mis-achievements) and it takes an even bolder and wiser leadership to do so with the broader community of electoral stakeholders and domestic and international observers.
• The active engagement of the electoral stakeholders in the review of NEC previous strategic plan, is a very welcome step that will certainly contribute to improve NEC’s performance in the preparations and management of future elections in Sierra Leone.
• This event demonstrates NEC’s commitment to engage proactively with the national electoral stakeholders and international community at large in view to promote inclusiveness and transparency in elections.
• I am very pleased to be part of today’s dialogue which provides an excellent opportunity for us all to reflect on the electoral management landscape, real or perceived shortcomings on the management of previous electoral cycle operations and advise on new strategic directions.
• The 2018 elections marked the second peaceful transition from one elected leader to another. It is a milestone for the consolidation of democracy in Sierra Leone which provided us with valuable lessons to reflect upon.
• From a European Union perspective we cannot but encourage the National Electoral Commission and electoral stakeholders at large, to consider the recommendations issued by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM).
• As you might be aware, following an invitation from the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union (EU) deployed in 2018 an Election Observation Mission for the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections.
• The mission observed the whole electoral process throughout the country and their assessment of NEC’s overall performance was a positive one. The EU EOM considered that : “Despite numerous challenges, the National Election Commission (had) delivered a transparent, credible and well-organised electoral process”
• However, the electoral operations were not flawless and the EUEOM mission also detected a number of shortcomings. Based on observations made in & around 800 polling stations across the two election days and extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders over a period of nearly three months the EU EOM made 29 recommendations to improve future elections.
• Priority recommendations include i) providing sufficient financial resources to the NEC in a timely manner, ii) clarifying the conduct of voter registration, iii) amending the Constitution regarding the right to stand for elections, iv) increasing transparency of the income and expenditure of parties and candidates, and v) implementing mechanisms to increase the number of women in parliament and local councils.
• The election observers also pointed out on the importance of staff capacity building, strengthening of voter registration and results management systems and complaint adjudication timelines.
• The vast majority of the electoral recommendations call for legal reforms, and I am glad that progress is being made to define a roadmap of priority legal reforms to be tackled ahead of next elections. It is our hope that NEC forthcoming strategic plan will reflect the outcome of this process and contribute to the implementation of a revised electoral framework.
• I am also most pleased to hear that, under the leadership of the NEC, the National Task Force on Electoral Observation has recently endorsed an ambitious action plan to implement the over 100 recommendations issued by the various electoral observation missions. These shall inform today’s discussions and contribute to concrete proposals to strengthen NEC’s performance in the forthcoming elections.
Honourable Chairman,
• As the next elections are fast approaching, activities have to be fast-tracked and closely monitored with clear timelines set for implementation. Furthermore, it will be critical to build confidence, by all electoral stakeholders, in the system and conduct of electoral operations.
• One area which calls for particular attention is the voter register which needs to be updated in due time for the local elections to be held mid-2022.
• The Electoral Observation Missions deployed on the ground in 2018 did not detect any systemic problems with the quality of the voter register produced by the NEC. Nevertheless, this process was far from flawless, exposed weaknesses and ultimately remained a source of contention during the electoral process.
• In light of the above the EU Electoral Observation Mission issued very clear key priority recommendation in respect to the voter register: “Revisit the conflict in the legal framework governing the registration of voters and clarify which institution should be in charge of the voter register. The terms of interaction between the institutions responsible for the civil register and the register of voters should be clearly defined. A permanent, free of charge and constantly updated civil register, which would be a basis for the register of voters, could be in a long run a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative to the current practice of conducting a fresh voter registration exercise before each election”.
• I wish today to commend the National Electoral Commission for the important steps forward which have been made to implement this priority recommendation.
• A Task Force on CRVS and Voter Registration is being established with the National Civil Registration Agency (NCRA) to support the operationalization of a functional permanent, free of charge and constantly updated civil register, which would enable the extraction of the register of voters in due time ahead of the next local elections planned in 2022 and the 2023 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
• Going forward it will be essential that two institutions agree on a joint roadmap with clear timelines and responsibilities for all stakeholders in respect to the capture, extraction and dissemination of CRVS information required to ensure an inclusive and robust voter register – provide clarity in the terms of interaction and responsibilities between the institutions responsible for the civil register and the register of voters – and communicate clearly with the electoral stakeholders and public at large.
Honourable Chairman,
• I would also like to recall the concrete recommendations which had been issued by EU electoral observers to reinforce the National Electoral Commission transparency and inclusiveness as well as credibility:
1. in view to enhance the transparency, credibility and acceptance of election processes, it was suggested that the NEC could publish all its decisions, procedures, planned measures, PPLC meeting minutes and results data on their web page and in appropriate means of communication. Furthermore sessions of NEC commissioners could be open for parties/candidates’ representatives and accredited observers..
2. tabulation procedures and publication of results could be strengthened to reinforce NEC credibility and accountability
3. Civic and voter education programmes could be developed and implemented with a stronger focus on individual choice, ability to compare proposed policies and the accountability of those elected. Disadvantaged groups such as illiterate people, people with disabilities, first-time voters, elderly and women should be specifically targeted. Consideration could also be given to working closely with the education sector to introduce these programmes into schools’ curricula.
4. Significant improvements should be made to have communication strategies specifically on women and participation in politics as a fundamental right, and promoting women’s participation during all stages of the electoral process. Ensuring women’s political rights is not just a moral imperative for all democratic societies; history has shown that the inclusion of women in politics is one of the most effective means to ensure peace and to support conflict prevention.
• Issues such as inclusion of women, youth and people with disabilities should be cross-cutting throughout the entire electoral operations and should feature prominently in NEC strategic plan implementation process.
• Lastly one overall recommendation is for the NEC to continue working closely with electoral stakeholders, notably, Political Parties representatives, Members of Parliament, CSOs/Electoral Observer Organizations, as it will be critical to build confidence in the system and conduct of electoral operations.
• This event demonstrates NEC’s commitment to engage proactively with the national electoral stakeholders and international community at large in view to promote inclusiveness and transparency in elections.
• Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for inviting the EU to this very important event, and reaffirm the European Union Commitment to support the democratization process in Sierra Leone as a fundamental piece to address issues of fragility and be able to advance with the development agenda.
• As in the past so in the future, the EU is ready to step in to provide support to the implementation of NEC strategic plan and of the Electoral Observation mission recommendations at large, notably in respect to electoral legal reforms, voter registration, and inclusiveness of women, youth and people with disabilities.
• I wish you all a very fruitful discussion.