By- Aruna Rashed Toma Bangura

The Chairman for the Commonwealth Elections Observer Group in Sierra Leone, former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has told Journalists that the Commonwealth Observer Group is deploying twelve member observer group across the country at a press conference held yesterday 19th June, 2023 at the Radisson Blu, Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown, western Sierra Leone.

The former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo made it very clear that their mission is to observe the electoral process as a whole and make recommendations accordingly, adding that the Commonwealth Observer Group has no executive role towards the elections and will not interfere with the process.

He continued that they will start deploying their observers from 22nd June in small teams across the country to observe the voting, counting and result process and on the day of election will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting and result management process.

He noted that their duties as observers will be guided strictly by the core principles of neutrality, impartiality, objectivity and independence and will put out an interim statement on their preliminary findings on 26th June before departing the country on 30th June. He added that a final report will be prepared and submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary General and will be shared with other relevant stakeholders and to be made available to the public.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo carried on that it is a crucial and delicate period while he hopes that their presence affirms the unwavering support of the Commonwealth  to Sierra Leone’s democracy, adding that the eyes of more than 2.5 billion of the Commonwealth with more 60% being young people under age 30 will be watching in solidarity and hope.

According to the Chair for the Commonwealth Observer Group, the Commonwealth has observed every election in Sierra Leone since the her civil war in 2002, including the 1996 general elections while he said that the Commonwealth has been an enduring companion to Sierra Leone on this extraordinary journey by witnessing the country’s evolution and into it has been today. He stated that the Commonwealth recognized the importance of the multitier elections to the citizens, the region and the global community and the gains achieved over the last two decades of peacetime is a testimony of the democratic spirit of the citizens which he noted must be cherished, nurtured and leveraged for continued peaceful and sustainable development.

He disclosed that the 12-member Observer Group was constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary General, The Rtd. Hon Patricia Scotland as Observer members were drawn from across the entire Commonwealth with a wealth of experience and including experts in law, politics, election administration, human rights and media.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo stated that the peaceful and prosperous future of the country lies in the hands of its citizens and violence, division and hate cannot play an active part, adding that may peace, justice and national prevail  as 3.3 million registered voters come forth to exercise their rights.