CIVIL SOCIETY UNION-SIERRA LEONE (CSU-SL)
PRESS STATEMENT 5th June, 2023.
It has come to the notice of the management of Civil Society Union-Sierra Leone that ECSL, the body that is responsible to Conduct Public Elections in Sierra Leone as mandated by the 1991 Constitution,has not been able to publish a detailed account of the number of registered Voters that have collected their voter ID cards per registration Centres,the number of voters per polling stations and the number of polling stations and polling Centres that are expected in the forth coming June 24 Elections.
This has undermined the ability and credibility of the management of ECSL in conducting and producing an anticipated Free, Fair and Credible Elections for the Citizens of Sierra Leone.
This inefficiency of ECSL to publish the aforementioned Data is a threat to the Peace and Security of the state and thus calling on the entire Civil Society organizations and the international bodies to please step forward and as well compell the management of ECSL to publish all Elections Data with immediate effect,to avert Political tensions and public controversies.
Civil Society Union-Sierra Leone is also calling on all registered Political parties for the June 24 Elections to also join us in demanding the immediate release of the Voters Registration Data by ECSL.
CSU-SL is also calling on the attention of the Office of National Security,The Army Chief of staff,the Inspector-general of Police,the Chief Justice and other relevant institutions to please intervene in addressing this issue,as it poses a threat to the peace and Security of the country.
Signed King-kaprr Thallay Bah-Acting President of Civil Society Union-Sierra Leone
Cc : ECSL
: PPRC
:ONS
: CSOs
: MEDIA
: Elections
Observer Missions
: Chief Justice
: All Registered Political parties
: Religious Council
THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SIERRA LEONE BAR ASSOCIATION
Let us be clear,the controversy over the voter register which has further attracted doubts over the credibility integrity and professionalism of the ECSL, plus allegations and counter allegations of threats of violence intimidation and incitements are all certainly not steps towards the aspiration and pledge for a free fair and peaceful elections.
Respectfully,for the SLPP to earn itself a dignified second term or for the APC to win these elections on merits,it must be on the basis of allowing citizens to choose freely without fear or favour, the Party they believe hold the most workable solutions to their problems.
To achieve this it is imperative that while both
sides adhere to the electoral campaign timetable, equal access is granted to all regions and constituencies.Furthermore it is of utmost importance that candidates of all political parties unequivocally condemn videos or any form of communication that threatens harm or incites violence against any political party, candidate, or voter.The issue of the voter register is also very important.At this critical moment the ECSL must be above suspicion and what a better way to do so than by being transparent and resolve the voter register problem without further delay.
It’s beautiful to see thousands of citizens both in green and red rally around the candidates of their political parties singing and dancing in hope and jubilation.That is the spirit of democracy and it is more of that citizens want to see and experience.
We have been the envy of the region for holding democratic Peaceful elections.We must do all we can to sustain that hard won reputation.Like many Sierra Leoneans who have faith in our country,I trust that in the journey leading to the elections and after,our Leaders,the Sierra Leone Police,PPRC, ECSL, the Judiciary, civil society, citizens and all stakeholders will collectively strive to protect that hard won reputation and refuse to allow the struggle for power be at the expense of the lives of citizens,the principles of democracy and rule of law.
