A total of eight multinational delegates experienced in political and civic leadership from Africa, Europe and America yesterday arrived in Freetown to observe the elections campaign.
The delegation is part of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) pre-election assessment mission to Sierra Leone.
Briefing journalists yesterday at the Bintumani hotel conference hall the head of the delegation former Mayor of San Francisco in the United States Arthur Agnos told them that the purpose of the delegation was to express the international community’s interest in, and support for, democratic governance and the conduct of multi party elections in Sierra Leone.
He noted that the delegation would also provide an impartial and accurate report on the election process to the people of this country and the international community.
The former Mayor added that the delegation will conduct its activities in a non partisan manner in accordance with the laws of Sierra Leone, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) guidelines and code of conduct for observers, and international standards for election monitoring set forth in the declaration of principles for international election observers.
Agnos maintained that conducting successful Presidential and Legislative elections would offer the people of Sierra Leone the best hope for attaining sustained peace and development in the country.
He stated that conducting credible national elections is also a critical benchmark for the country as it strives for stability and the consolidation of peace and democracy.
According to the Country Director of NDI Nick Demeter the pre-elections assessment delegation will meet with representatives of political parties and officials from the NEC and government, as well as journalists, members of civil society, marginalized groups in the electoral process including women and persons with disabilities and representatives of the international community.