The Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mohamed Konneh, has announced that the commission will soon release the aggregated voter register. In a meeting with political parties, election observers, and the media in Freetown, Konneh revealed that the voter register would be provided to political parties for printing, including names and photos of the registered voters.
The release of the voter register is a standard procedure followed in past elections and is crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process. It allows political parties and other stakeholders to verify the accuracy of the register and identify any discrepancies or irregularities. By providing the names and photos of the voters, the ECSL aims to enhance the transparency of the process and enable political parties to effectively carry out their monitoring activities.
Konneh also disclosed that the printing of ballot papers is currently underway and will be completed in due time for the scheduled elections on June 24. He emphasized that all political parties would be present when the ballot papers are received at the airport and then dispatched to the various regions. This approach ensures that the distribution of ballot papers is carried out in a transparent manner and minimizes the risk of tampering or bias.
During the meeting, Konneh assured political parties of the ECSL's commitment to maintaining open lines of communication and engaging in dialogue. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by political parties and stressed the commission's dedication to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections.
However, representatives from the main opposition party, the All People's Congress (APC), expressed concerns about the voter list that would be provided to political parties. Dr. Richard Conteh and Lansana Dumbuya, representatives of the APC, raised issues regarding the quality of the photos in the ECSL's register and their ability to identify voters based on them.
In response, Henry Jusufu Swaray, the ECSL's Director of Voter and Data Roll, explained that the commission would not be issuing the exact same voter list to political parties in order to protect the personal data of voters. Swaray emphasized that the ECSL's list contains sensitive information that, if shared, could potentially expose voters to post-election risks. He assured the attendees that this practice of not sharing the complete voter list with political parties has been consistent in previous elections held in 2012 and 2018.
The forthcoming release of the aggregated voter register by the ECSL is a positive step toward ensuring transparent and credible elections in Sierra Leone. By providing the register to political parties, the commission allows for greater scrutiny and oversight, contributing to the integrity of the electoral process. As the elections approach, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to maintain a peaceful and democratic environment, upholding the principles of fairness and inclusivity.