Commonwealth to observe Sierra Leone elections
25 July 2007
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today announced that the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) for the presidential and parliamentary elections in Sierra Leone will be led by Hon Dr Kenny Anthony, former Prime Minister of St Lucia. The elections are scheduled for 11 August 2007.
Speaking after announcing the COG, the Secretary-General said that “observing elections is one of the ways of strengthening democracy in member countries.”
“This election is crucial for Sierra Leone. It is important that the whole process is credible as this would further stabilise the political process and create a conducive environment necessary for sustainable development,” Mr McKinnon said.
“The Commonwealth walks alongside the government and the people of Sierra Leone to make democracy and development a reality in that country. These elections mark Sierra Leone’s next, vital, step along that path,” he added.
The Observer Group is constituted at the invitation of the National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone. It also follows a report of an Assessment Mission which was in Sierra Leone in May 2007.
The Mission established that there is broad support for the presence of Commonwealth Observers. It also established that the Observers will have access to polling places and counting centres and generally be free to pursue their mandate.
The full list of the COG is:
- Hon Dr Kenny Anthony, Former Prime Minister of St Lucia (Chair)
- Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan Chairman Electoral Commission, Ghana
- Hon Vera Baird QC MP Solicitor General, United Kingdom
- Senator Walter Bennett Swaziland
- Mr Joseph Hamisi Dena Commissioner, Electoral Commission Kenya
- Mr Ahmed Mahlo of Deputy Asia Regional Representative Commonwealth Youth Caucus, Maldives
- Mrs Edith Nawakwi Politician, Zambia Ms Judith ThompsonElection Consultant, Canada
Dr Kwado Afari-Gyan, has been in Sierra Leone as an `Advance Observer` since 21 July 2007. The rest of the Group arrives in the country on 2 August 2007.
The Observers have been invited in their individual capacities and the views they express regarding the elections will be their own and not those either of their respective governments or of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Group will be supported by a Commonwealth Secretariat Team lead by Professor Ade Adefuye, Special Adviser and Head of Africa Section, Political Affairs Division.
Terms of Reference of the Group
“The Group is established by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the request of the National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone. It is to observe relevant aspects of the organisation and conduct of the General Elections which are scheduled to take place on 11 August 2007, in accordance with the laws of Sierra Leone.
The Group is to consider the various factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole. It will determine in its own judgement whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Sierra Leone has committed itself, with reference to national election-related legislation and relevant regional, Commonwealth and other international commitments.
The Group is to act impartially and independently and shall conduct itself according to the standards expressed in the International Declaration of Principles to which the Commonwealth is a signatory. It has no executive role; its function is not to supervise but to observe the process as a whole and to form a judgement accordingly. In its Final Report, the Group is also free to propose to the authorities concerned recommendations for change on institutional, procedural and other matters as would assist the holding of future elections.
The Group is to submit its report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will forward it to the Government of Sierra Leone, the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone, the leadership of the political parties taking part in the elections and thereafter to all Commonwealth Governments.”
Note for Editors
The Commonwealth has been consistently involved in the post war reconstruction of Sierra Leone. After the war, the Secretariat established a taskforce that has been involved in activities focusing on the reintegration of former child soldiers; training of the country’s police force, and diplomats; providing assistance to the National Electoral Commission; and training in debt management, among others.
For media inquiries, please contact Yvonne Chin, Press Officer on telephone numbers +232-76-323-115; +232-22-230-321/2 or email: y.chin@commonwealth.int
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