His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio yesterday received the combined 2023 Annual and Elections Reports from Mohamed Konneh, the Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). President Bio reiterated his earlier statements that, according to the law, there will be no presidential elections until 2028.
Commissioner Konneh highlighted that the reports provided a comprehensive review of the electoral processes that ensured peaceful, free, fair, and inclusive participation in the 2023 presidential elections, including elections for parliamentary, paramount chief members of parliament, mayors, chairpersons, councillors, and village heads.
Konneh stated that presenting these reports was a constitutional requirement for the ECSL. The reports covered the implementation of the 2020–2024 strategic plan and recommendations from the 2018 Election Observation Mission. He noted that during the period under review, the Commission prioritized 167 key activities from the plan: 108 were fully implemented, 25 were partially implemented, 26 were in progress, and 8 were yet to start. He praised the Sierra Leone government for financing over 90 percent of the national elections for the first time, thanks to the National Elections Sustainability Trust Fund, which provided substantial funding without bureaucratic delays. The 2023 multi-tier elections met international and national standards, significantly boosting female participation in elected positions.
Konneh emphasized that Sierra Leone’s achievements could serve as a model for the sub-region, particularly regarding electoral inclusion. The peaceful conduct of the elections and the timely announcement of results set a new milestone for the 2023 elections.
In his remarks, President Bio thanked the Chief Electoral Commissioner and all commissioners for their excellent work in conducting the 2023 multi-tier elections. He acknowledged the difficulties of their task and confirmed that voters appreciated their efforts in conducting what he termed “Saful elections.”
President Bio noted that no election worldwide is without questions. He emphasized that for democratic nations like Sierra Leone to thrive amidst a global financial crisis, his government chose to finance the country’s elections for the first time, despite recently emerging from the COVID-19 crisis. He stressed that democracy relies on trust in the rule of law and respect for national institutions and their officials. He recalled contesting elections in the past, seeking court redress over results, and ultimately accepting the outcome for the sake of democracy.
President Bio reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, urging citizens to be law-abiding. He confirmed that there will be no more presidential elections until 2028, urging politicians and citizens to focus on unity and the “Feed Salone” initiative.
