Sierra Leone is holding its first national election today since UN peacekeepers left the country two years ago. The responsibility for running this election lies with the Sierra Leonean National Electoral Commission (NEC). Close to 2.6 million people are registered to vote, about half of the population of Sierra Leone who are eligible.
Last election, organized by the UN, was held in 2002 immediately after the decade-long civil war had ended. This election is seen as a test of whether or not Sierra Leonean security forces can maintain the peace.
Sierra Leone has been peaceful up to the elections, except for a few house burnings. Since the elections began this morning long lines have formed at various polling stations in Freetown and people in the city are impatient to cast their ballots. The voting has been described as peaceful in rural areas. In general the voting has been running smoothly, except that a few polling stations have opened late and heavy rain last night caused a delay in delivering voting materials. But overall “the process seems to be well-organi(z)ed and peaceful” according to Marie-Anne Isler, the chief EU observer.
There are seven candidates for the presidency and over 500 candidates for the 112 parliamentary seats. President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah stepping down after serving two terms, amidst anger over a failure to supply jobs and possible corruption. The two front-runners for presidency are considered to be Ernest Bai Koroma of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) and current vice-president Solomon Berewa of ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). The presidential candidate must secure 55% of the vote to avoid a run-off. If a run-off is necessary it will likely take place in early September.
There are international observers present for today’s elections, including a seven person team from the European Union. The EU has awarded approximately $275 million (200 million Euro) to Sierra Leone for the period of 2007-2013 to rebuild under the European Development Fund.
Sierra Leone is still recovering slowly from the civil war. Analysts warn that the conditions which fueled the war, like high unemployment and corruption, are once again prevalent. The country remains very poor and the large youth population cannot find work, leaving them open to persuasion to join an offensive against the government.
Many remain optimistic. NEC Chairwoman Christiana Thorpe believes that a successful election process “will indicate maturity in the democratic process and in self-governance.” “Maybe now things are going to get better,” said Freetown resident Abubakar Kamara, before heading off to vote in the west of the city. “We must vote in peace and show the world that Sierra Leone is a peaceful country.”
Final tallies of today’s election are expected within the next 12 days.
For more information, please see:
BBC – Landmark Vote Begins in S Leone – 11 August 2007
Ireland.com – Ryan Joins Team of Election Observers – 11 August 2007
Guardian – Sierra Leone Holds Elections – 11 August 2007
Reuters – Sierra Leone Votes in Test of Post-War Recovery – 11 August 2007
AllAfrica – Sierra Leone: Elections “Will Indicate Maturity in the Democratic Process” – 10 August 2007
