EU to Deploy 78 Election Observers for Sierra Leone’s 2023 Elections

The European Union (EU) will send a 78-man Election Observer Mission (EOM) to Sierra Leone for the 2023 general elections slated for June 24.

In a news release released on May 3, the EU stated that the Sierra Leone Electoral Commission had invited them to ensure that the elections were transparent, credible, and peaceful.

The EU has not dispatched an EOM to Sierra Leone for the first time. In 2018, 2012, 2007, and 2002, the EU sent observers. In addition, an Election Follow-up Mission was carried out in 2021.

The Chief Observer of the 2023 EU EOM to Sierra Leone will be Evin Incir, a Member of the European Parliament.

“It is a great honour for me to lead this Election Observation Mission, which I assume with a great sense of responsibility. I look forward to engaging with various electoral stakeholders and trust that state authorities, political parties and candidates will play their part in promoting inclusive, credible and peaceful elections,” said Incir.

The EU has demonstrated its commitment to promoting fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in Sierra Leone. According to Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EU’s long-term commitment to the country will ensure that the final report produced by the EU EOM will be an important contribution to Sierra Leone’s efforts and aspirations to strengthen its democracy.

The EU EOM will be made up of various sets of observers who will arrive on various days. On May 11, 2023, the Core Team of ten election specialists will arrive in Freetown. On May 20, 28 long-term observers will be sent around the country to monitor the election campaign.

Following that, 40 short-term observers and up to 10 locally recruited short-term observers will supplement the mission on election day. The EU EOM will remain in the nation until the electoral process is completed.

In accordance with EU election observation practice, the delegation will produce a preliminary statement and host a news conference in Freetown following election day. Following the completion of the full election process, a final report will be delivered, including suggestions for future electoral procedures.