As part of the institution’s capacity building drive, the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) has handed over a voter education resource centre and other materials to the tune of Le 3,150, 000 (three million one hundred and fifty thousand Leones) to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) head office in Freetown.
IFES Country Director, Magnus Ohman said that, the handing over ceremony is part of his organization’s support to NEC.
He said that despite the fact that these elections are over, the work of NEC never ends; adding that the Commission is preparing for the 2012 elections, and IFES is proud to play a part in these endeavors.
He added that, the resource centre draws on the experiences from countries all over the world, with regards the sensitization of potential voters. The items donated includes materials on all stages of voter education, from planning to implementation and evaluation; focusing on specific groups such as the disabled, young and women voters. In addition, he said, “we have gathered sixty-five (65) different voter education posters from different countries, which we hope would help to give inspiration in the creation of voter education materials for future elections”.
We would continue to add to the resource centre to increase its usefulness for NEC, and we call on other organizations to make similar donations.
He expressed gratitude to USAID for their generous assistance, which has made the work of IFES in Sierra Leone possible. Ohman hoped that the donation would assist the Commission in its work to organize better elections in Sierra Leone. Commissioner in charge, Florence Kebbie lauded the efforts of IFES for the donation and underscored the important role IFES has played towards the Commission. NEC Executive Secretary, Stephen Aiah Miattia said that, IFES has been assisting in the electoral process in Sierra Leone for over ten (10) years now.
By Abibatu Kamara
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