The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) has stated that it appreciates the professionalism accorded to the [electoral] process, but wishes to point out that such delay could prove counter productive.
The council also notes that it is worried over the trend of the already published results as they emanate from the opposition stronghold and as such has the tendency to build up false aspirations which may lead to challenges being made when the total results would be published.
The council also adds its voice to the numerous commendations from national and international observers of the August 11 elections.
The Council of Churches said, “no incident of violence was observed,” pointing out that the voting process was transparent and orderly ballot boxes were in full view of polling officials, party agents, observers and voters throughout the polling exercise.
CCSL states categorically that it can assert that the voting process was transparent, free and credible but that the council is apprehensive over the slow release of the official certified tally results.
CCSL points out that it observed the presidential and parliamentary elections throughout the country and that it had more than 500 local observers and about 20 international observers from Europe and the All Africa Conference of churches (AACC) in most of the fourteen “districts” of the country.
Meanwhile, the African Union Observer Mission led by Victor Tonchi, chairperson of the electoral commission of Namibia, and was composed of 17 Pan-African parliamentarians, members of electoral management bodies, civil society organizations and support staff commends the electoral process and described it as “transparent, orderly and peaceful” and that the mission was satisfied that the polling arrangements assured the secrecy of the ballot.
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