By Idrissa Bangura
Over electoral information access denial, a well-known legal luminary, Augustine Sorie –Sengbe Marrah, has launched a petition against the Right to Access Information Commission in seeking a whole review of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone’s refusal to provide the necessary information. The request includes certifying and verifying district-level results of the Presidential, Local and General Elections conducted in the just concluded June multi-tier elections.
In a well written letter dated on 28th July 2023, the renowned lawyer invoked Section 2[1] of the Right to Access Information Act 2023 to solicit information from ECSL. The information pertaining the possession of the results of the sixteen districts certified results by various District Returning Officers in conjunction with Section 92[1] of the Public Election Act 2022.
He requested details of the verification process of these results by respective political parties’ agents. In connection with access given to counting agent and observers as stipulated by Section 92 [2] of the Public Election Act 2022. The letter written to the Commission in the area of the supervisory role, pointed to the ECSLs’ statutory obligation to respond within fifteen days, as specified by Section 4 of the Right to Access Information Act 2013.
However, the deadline expired on August 18, 2023 without response or communication from ECSL. The lawyer interpreted ECSL silence as an intentional refusal to comply or fulfill his information request. Subsequently, invoking Section 43 of the Right to Access Information provision Act of 2013. The lawyer formally sought the intervention of the Commission.
He asked for an impartial review of ECSLs’ decision to deny or neglect to confirm the availability of the requested information or to grant access to the same. The Commission empowered by law to monitor and report on public authorities’ adherence to the Right to Access Information Legislation, is expected to undertake this review within specified legal time frame.
The lawyer’s fervent requests show the critical importance of transparency and accountability in electoral process.